Muslim candidate in Quebec election stops campaigning following violent threat

MONTREAL – A Muslim candidate who had an election sign shot up last week says he has stopped campaigning in his Quebec City riding after being informed by police of a new threat.

Ali Dahan, who is running as an Independent, is limited to canvassing voters from his home after learning his physical safety was threatened.

“Since then, I haven’t been sleeping, I’m afraid,” he told The Canadian Press by phone Wednesday. “I’m not going out like before.”

Dahan, whose riding of Jean-Talon is home to the mosque where six worshippers were killed in 2017, said police called him in last Friday to inform him of a threat posted online beneath an article about the shooting of his sign.

The commenter said next time it would be Dahan, not his signs, who would be targeted.

“The sergeant-detective told me: ‘This is serious business. It’s a hate crime so you have to file a complaint,’ which I did,” Dahan said.

Quebec City police confirmed an investigation is underway but that no arrest has been made.

A 26-year-old Quebec City man turned himself in last week in relation to the shooting of the sign. He was released on conditions and a promise to appear in court.

Authorities are recommending charges of mischief on an electoral document and negligent use of a firearm. Police seized an air rifle, four magazines, bullets and other accessories.