EDMONTON (Rajeev Sharma): Two people were injured following an early-morning incident at Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton on Friday, with the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) reporting that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was also reportedly attacked during the incident.
According to the WSO, an intruder entered the gurdwara at approximately 5 a.m. and attacked individuals inside the premises. Two people were taken to hospital for treatment. Edmonton police attended the scene, and the gurdwara was closed to the public while officers continued their investigation.
The WSO said it is awaiting further information from authorities regarding the circumstances of the incident and the possible motive. The organization has called on Edmonton police to determine whether hate or bias may have played a role.
The incident comes amid concerns over several recent incidents affecting Alberta’s Sikh community, including threatening calls reportedly received by two Calgary gurdwaras and the reported assault of a Sikh truck driver at an Edmonton Walmart earlier this month.
WSO President Danish Singh expressed concern over what he described as a troubling trend of anti-Sikh incidents in Canada.
“We are deeply troubled by what has happened at Nanaksar Gurdwara this morning, but unfortunately we cannot say that we are surprised,” Singh said.
The WSO is urging law-enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and is calling on governments to strengthen security measures at places of worship.
Police have not yet publicly confirmed the motive or whether the incident was hate-motivated. The investigation remains ongoing.
