Two Muslim inmates at the Grande Cache Institution have reportedly made complaints about their treatment at the federal prison. CBC reports that the two prisoners, 30 year old Nicolas Hovanesian and 35 year old Mohammed Karim say their faith has made them a target of institutional discipline, racist jokes, and inadequate time for prayers and religious ceremonies. Their complaints have been filed with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
The two men have accused the prison’s Catholic Priest and chaplain of insulting them and kicking them out of the prison’s chapel, as well as being forced to pay a $20 fee to use a prayer mat. Father Mark McGee, however, denied the allegations and says that steps have been taken to address their concerns and to make them feel welcome in the chapel. Karim has since been transferred to a prison in Ontario, while Hovanesian has reportedly also requested a transfer that was not approved.