A Quebec zoo had a blunt response after a video was shared on Facebook complaining about Muslims praying in Parc Safari, south of Montreal.
The video, posted to Facebook last weekend, shows a group of people praying on zoo grounds. Two women can be heard complaining about prayers in a public space.
"I find it inappropriate that at Parc Safari on a Sunday afternoon we hear prayers on a speaker," the video's poster wrote, in French.
"Can you just do this in your living room and not impose it on me, please!"
The video has been shared more than 1,500 times and there are hundreds of comments, some agreeing with the video's poster, and some defending the people praying.
According to Global News, some people are now calling for a boycott of the zoo because it hosted the Muslim group.
The zoo, however, is holding its ground. In a message posted to Facebook, it said "Parc Safari is sorry that freedom of religion may have offended people."
The zoo said it routinely hosts different groups, and that the Muslim Association of Canada's visit on July 2 was no different. According to the post, the group complied with all zoo regulations, and hosted its event out of the way of other guests using its own sound system.
The zoo says it has been targeted by "hate and racist comments" since the video was posted.
"Parc Safari is a place where everyone is welcome. A zoological institution is by definition a multicultural place where everyone can discover the wonderful diversity of nature and animals and thus develop affection and respect for this diversity, these differences, and their intrinsic beauty," its message said.
"We repeat: Safari Park is a place for everyone, regardless of nationality, religion, colour, culture or sexual orientation."
