Montréal – Organizers of a vigil in Montréal marking the ninth anniversary of the Québec City mosque shooting – which claimed six lives and injured 19 – are speaking out against Islamophobia in Québec.
Remembering the Victims, Confronting Ongoing Concerns
The vigil, held Thursday, is one of several activities planned as part of Muslim Awareness Week. Organizers say these events are intended to address what they describe as a lack of understanding towards Muslim communities. “We are still at risk of this happening again,” stated Jawad Kanani, a member of the Muslim Awareness Week council.
Samira Laouni, co-founder of Muslim Awareness Week, said the annual vigil honors the victims and those injured while simultaneously fighting Islamophobia. “We want to keep our memories alive,” she said.
Kanani emphasized that the vigil comes at a time when many Muslims report not feeling safe in Québec. He noted that security precautions, such as escorts to cars, are often taken at a Montréal mosque he attends.
“We never know who we might encounter in the street. There is clearly a polarization within our society,” Kanani stated.
Rising Demand for Legal Assistance
According to Stephen Brown, president-director general of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the attack on the Québec City mosque was not an isolated incident, but followed a series of Islamophobic events. Prior to the shooting, a pig’s head was left at the Québec Islamic Cultural Centre, an act considered offensive to Muslim religious beliefs. The group Soldiers of Odin also patrolled neighborhoods with mosques in Québec City.
Brown argued that the phenomenon was publicly downplayed and that lessons from the attack appear to have been forgotten. “The discourse in today’s society and the feeling of Muslims in Québec are remarkably similar to the context that existed before the attack,” he said.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims’ legal clinic received more calls each month last year than it did during the entire previous year, with women and children increasingly seeking assistance. “I can’t tell you how many people ask me if there is a future for them in Québec,” Brown said.
Laouni stated she feels “rejected” as a Muslim in Québec, citing Law 94 regarding school face coverings and Bill 9, which would prohibit prayer and the wearing of veils in public institutions. She argued that public debate surrounding these bills has sown discord and called on Quebecers to show solidarity against hate. “When one right is eroded, all rights are eroded,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Brown remains optimistic, stating that the Canadian population has “always demonstrated its ability to change perspective and create opportunities to live together.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Québec City mosque in 2017?
On January 29, 2017, Alexandre Bissonnette entered the Islamic Cultural Centre of Québec during evening prayer and opened fire on worshippers, killing six people and injuring 19.
Who were the victims of the attack?
Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti were killed in the attack.
What was the initial sentence given to Alexandre Bissonnette?
Bissonnette was initially sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 40 years. This was later reduced to 25 years upon appeal.
What steps can be taken to foster a more inclusive society in Québec?
