A hockey-playing, Canadian-born imam who supported prayers in Peel Region schools now finds himself the target of death threats.

“I kind of expected to get death threats from groups like ISIS and things like that,” said Ibrahim Hindy.

“But I didn’t expect to get it from people who call themselves Canadians and drape themselves in the Canadian flag.”

Hindy, who has advised the Peel District School Board on how to accommodate prayers in school, said he was horrified to see an email in his inbox and a post on his Facebook page with a picture of Muslim men being hanged with the caption “Islamic wind chimes.”

Another message called the mosque “one of many Satan safe houses that need to be burned to the ground.”

Hindy said prayers have been allowed in Peel schools for years and are an issue of policy. Both public and Catholic schools are legally required to provide religious accommodation when requested.

“It wasn’t a big deal at all,” he said. “For it to turn into what it’s turned into, it’s horrifying. And it’s a wake-up call for people to realize that there’s a lot of political incitement out there, and it’s really shameful.”

The political incitement Hindy is talking about is the anti-Muslim rhetoric that has reached a fever pitch in Peel Region in recent months.

School board meetings have descended into hate-filled shouting matches, with someone recently tearing apart the Koran. Police are now on standby at every meeting.

One man offered a $1,000 reward for any video that shows Muslim kids praying.

And on Tuesday, an organization called Canada First placed flyers on windshields at Mississauga GO Station, urging people to join a protest at the next Peel school board meeting on April 25.

The Peel school board released a statement in support of HIndy.

“These threats and hateful comments are not who we are as Canadians,” it reads.

“We have had the privilege to work with caring, committed leaders of many faiths, including Imam Hindy. Their advice and input should be welcomed with appreciation, not threats. This shows us how much work we have to do together to create a truly inclusive community. “

Meanwhile, Peel police said they are taking the threat seriously. They have increased patrols at Hindy’s home and mosque.