MISSISSAUGA – A mosque in Mississauga, Canada announced on February 25 receiving a significant funding from the Canadian federal government to beef up its security measures against vandalism and Islamophobic terrorist attacks, Muslim Mississauga reported.

“There is no place in our society for attacks that target groups simply because of their faith. Our government will continue to stand against discrimination,” Muslim MP for Mississauga-Erin Mills, Iqra Khalid said in an official statement.

Khalid and Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, announced that the federal government will provide over $93,000 in federal funding to the ‘Muslim Neighbor Nexus.’

The Muslim Neighbor Nexus which constructs a mosque in Mississauga has been serving over 10,000 Muslims in the region since 2012.

The two officials proclaimed that the funding which will be provided through the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) seeks to aid the Muslim organization in protecting itself against terrorist attacks which take place against the Muslim community in Canada.

The projects of SIP are designed to help the Canadian communities at risk of xenophobia in improving their security infrastructure.

“We’ve a collective responsibility to stand against prejudice in all its forms, and to never allow intolerance and hate to take root in our communities,” Khalid said.

“The funding announced today will help provide our Muslim community here in Mississauga with an inclusive and safe place of worship.”

According to the government, the funding will support security infrastructure measures for the new structure so that Mississauga’s Muslim community is free to practice their faith in peace and safety.

“These security measures include the installation of a closed- circuit television system, lighting outside the facility, and fencing around the perimeter of the building,” the Muslim parliament member informed.

Ayud Hamid, president of the Muslim Neighbor Nexus, said in a statement that: “It’s unfortunate when places of worship have to be concerned about the safety of their congregants but we know all too well the dangers of Islamophobia, the lives it has already taken, and the ongoing dangers it poses.”

“For this reason, we are so grateful that the Government of Canada has taken steps to make this grant available to us to invest in our security infrastructure, helping to keep our congregants safe,” Hamid expressed.

The city of Mississauga is known for its culture-specific festivals held in Celebration Square, including the ‘Muslimfest’.

According to the 2014 census, Muslims represent 11.9% of the total population of the city.