The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is deeply troubled by a violent incident this morning at Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton that left two individuals injured and, according to preliminary reports, involved desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh scripture).

Based on information currently available to WSO, at approximately 5 a.m. an intruder entered the Gurdwara and attacked individuals inside. Two people were taken to hospital with injuries. There are also reports that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was attacked during the incident. Police are currently on scene and the Gurdwara has been closed to the public while the investigation continues.

WSO is awaiting further confirmed information about the circumstances and motive behind the attack.

The incident comes at an alarming time for Sikhs in Alberta.

Just yesterday, Calgary police confirmed they were investigating threatening calls made to two Sikh gurdwaras in northeast Calgary, including threats directed at the Dashmesh Culture Centre. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas condemned the threats, which reportedly included calls for the demolition of Sikh places of worship.

Earlier this month, a Sikh truck driver, Talwinder Singh Atwal, reported being subjected to comments about his religious identity before being physically assaulted at an Edmonton Walmart. Atwal said he was punched, pushed and had his beard pulled, while video showed him on the ground with his dastaar partially removed. The Edmonton Police Service Hate Crimes Unit is assisting with that investigation.

In March, the killing of 22-year-old Birinder Singh, in a seemingly unprovoked highway shooting near Leduc Alberta also caused significant alarm within Alberta's Sikh community and prompted WSO to call for investigators to consider whether hate had been a factor. 

WSO President Danish Singh said, “We are deeply troubled by what has happened at Nanaksar Gurdwara this morning, but unfortunately we cannot say that we are surprised. We have been warning for quite some time that anti-Sikh hate is rising in Canada and that, if it is allowed to continue unchecked, hateful rhetoric can translate into threats and actual violence."