Imam Adel Al-Sharqawi from Montreal, Quebec, asked God to kill the enemies of the Gazans and to leave no one behind, ever, during a pro-Palestinian march last month. After the prayer spread online, it sparked anger and condemnation from Canadian politicians and Jewish groups.

Quebec Premier François Legault said that Al-Sharqawi is openly inciting hatred and violence. He believes that the Montreal police should investigate the matter.

Itay Yudine, Vice President of the Quebec branch of the Israel and Jewish Affairs Center, also expressed concern that such statements could lead to action. She called for a police investigation.

According to Montreal police report records, since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7, there have been 73 hate crimes and hate incidents against the Jewish community, and 25 similar incidents targeting the Arab Muslim community. This number already exceeds the number of hate crimes in the city throughout last year.

Al-Sharqawi was born in Morocco. He was monitored for nine years by the Canadian police on suspicion of terrorism and was arrested in 2003, but police ultimately did not press any charges.