Police showing Hindu Samaj documentary Thursday; one day after a mosque arson
Hamilton police will release a documentary Thursday about the burning of the Hindu Samaj Temple 15 years ago — one day after someone tried to set fire to a local mosque.
Hamilton Police Service will host "An Evening of Reflection" from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hindu Samaj of Hamilton and Region.
The documentary, "Fifteen Years Later," looks at "the impact of the burning of the Hindu Samaj Temple on Sept. 15, 2001."
Sandra Wilson, community relations co-ordinator, told CBC Hamilton last week that the service's efforts to deal with diverse communities is "an ongoing journey."
"We're never at a full stop," she said. "It's always a comma, never a full stop."
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Hamilton police did not respond when asked by CBC how much the documentary cost.
The temple is at 6297 Twenty Rd. E. The event is free and everyone is welcome.
The temple fire triggered a series of efforts in Hamilton to make the city more diverse. The fire eventually led to the formation of the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion.
CBC Hamilton published a series of stories last week about the success of those efforts.
"I would give Hamilton a B," said Hussein Hamdani, a local lawyer who volunteers with Muslim youth.
"I believe people were sincere 15 years ago. I think the intent was there. But the results have been less than what we all would have wanted when we started this."
The documentary event comes one day after a Hamilton man was charged for setting a fire at the Ibrahim Jame Mosque at 778 King St. E.
Claudio Mostacci from Hamilton Fire says firefighters got the call at 11:20 p.m. Wednesday night. They quickly extinguished the fire and the damage is minimal.
