Video shows man chasing after Montreal mosque-goers, trying to enter building

Montreal police are investigating a video in which a man appears to chase after a pair of mosque-goers and try and force his way inside the building.

The video, captured by security cameras at the Islamic Centre of Verdun on Dec. 30, shows a man shouting at two male mosque attendees from across the street. As the pair enters the building, the suspect runs across the road, cutting in front of a car. The door is shut before he can access the building.

According to Islamic Centre director Mohamed Hamrani, the suspect was hurling insults at the two men.

Given previous attacks on mosques, including the killing of six men at a Quebec City mosque in 2017, the centre is on high alert.

Police spokesperson Julien Levesque said the hate crimes unit is investigating after a call was placed to 911 about the incident.

Federal Justice Minister David Lametti reacted to the incident on Twitter.

"What happened at the Verdun mosque on Friday is unacceptable and disgusting. Islamophobia has no place in our community, or anywhere in Canada," he wrote.  

What happened at the Verdun Mosque on Friday is unacceptable and disgusting. Islamophobia has no place in our community, or anywhere in Canada.

— David Lametti (@DavidLametti) December 31, 2022

With files from CTV's Caroline Van Vlaardingen