TORONTO, March 27: The Canadian Jewish Congress today joined Muslim religious leaders in condemning vandalism at a mosque in Pickering city, nearly 28 kilometres east of Toronto.

According to police and eyewitnesses, vandals ignited a fire and spray-painted 'Jesus Rules' on an outside wall of the mosque. The fire was brought under control within minutes by firefighters. The damage was estimated at about 5,000 dollars.

Meanwhile the Pickering mayor, legislators of the area and senior government officials visited the mosque and told Muslim community members that the miscreants would be arrested and punished.

"Hate crime can not be tolerated in Canada and places of worship are to be protected at all cost," said one official after visiting the mosque.

Ahsan Butt, president of the Al-Mahdi Islamic Centre, denounced the act. "I think this is a hate crime and our hope is that police will fully investigate and bring the culprits to book," he said.

Ed Morgan, chairman of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region, said: "We are both saddened and outraged by the attack on the Pickering mosque. We want the Islamic community to be assured that we understand the terrible heartache this causes the community."