‘Hamas vigil’ is false, no event is planned: Mississauga mayor

Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish believes stories circulating about a vigil planned to honour the slain leader of Hamas are false and that no such event is planned.

Taking to social media tonight (Nov. 11), Parrish said her own investigation revealed the information about the vigil is untrue. As well, the Muslim Council of Peel says rumours of the vigil were circulated to “sow division” in the community.

“Consulted a network of Muslim organizations, serious partners in many activities of our city – coaching sports, walkathons for Trillium Hospital and diabetes. I asked them to track down the anonymous notice for a vigil at City Hall. No organization exists. No vigil is planned,” Parrish commented on X (formerly Twitter).

News about a vigil began appearing last week and was perpetuated by a virtual flyer that advertised the event as planned for Nov. 26 at Celebration Square in front of City Hall.

“Commemorating 40 days of Martydom of the leaders of Resistance fighting for Palestinian freedom.” the flyer reads displaying a photo of slain leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar along with images of poppies.

While the flyer could not be linked to an originating source, it was heavily circulated by those condemning the event and who called upon Parrish to prevent it from happening.

Although the vigil could not be confirmed, several media outlets picked up on the story.

In a release, the Muslim Council of Peel (MCP), an umbrella organization representing several agencies, said the flyer being circulated is meant to cause tension in the community.

“The flyer is being circulated on social media by accounts attempting to sow division within our Mississauga and undermine Mayor Carolyn Parrish’s leadership,” states the MCP message. “MCP strongly condemns these divisive actions and confirms that the flyer is not associated with any legitimate organization in Mississauga.

Initially, Parrish said the city was aware of the vigil.

“Under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, groups have the right of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” Parrish said late last week. “The City will not interfere with a peaceful vigil, as long as all laws and City by-laws are adhered to.”

The MCP said the misinformation spread in the flyer distracts from the current humanitarian issues in Gaza.

This was the flyer that was circulating on social media. The Mississauga mayor and an Islamic organization say it is fake.