On Saturday, Surrey’s RCMP issued a statement saying their investigation found that those responsible for pouring water on worshipers from a passing car and nearly hitting them were “teenagers belonging to the Muslim community.” The search began Thursday when police were called to 24th Street and 72A Avenue near the Surrey Jamea Masjid after evening prayers. No criminal prosecution has been proposed. One way to resolve the issue, police said in a press release, is to seek alternative measures, “using a restorative justice approach that would allow all parties to meet and express the impact that this incident had on them and in the wider community. “ Although he ruled out the possibility that it was a “racist hate crime”, Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards said it was still crucial to report and investigate these incidents. “The RCMP recognizes that any incident such as what was initially thought to be a hate crime is hurting our community,” she wrote in a statement. “However, as soon as it was discovered that the nature of the incident was not motivated by hatred, it was important for us to inform the public. Surrey’s RCMP takes allegations of biased crimes very seriously.” Shortly after the incident, the BC Muslim Association issued a statement saying it was “seriously concerned” about what had happened, noting that the targets had left the afternoon prayer and were wearing traditional clothes. The attack took place days before Eid Al-Fitr, the religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan fasting. The union said the incident was particularly worrying in light of last year ‘s terrorist attack in London, Ond., Which killed four members of a Muslim family. Edwards said he personally briefed the organization’s president, describing it as a “positive discussion about the outcome of this event and our common goal of ensuring the security of all communities, including our Muslim residents.” With files from Andrew Weichel of CTV News Vancouver
