Community & Current Events
How Canadians are supporting our Muslim community after the deadly Quebec mosque shooting
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Community & Current Events
How Canadians are supporting our Muslim community after the deadly Quebec mosque shooting
Regardless of faith, we're coming together to offer support and solidarity after a terrorist attack at a Quebec City mosque.
After Sunday night's terrorist shooting at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec in Quebec City, where six people were killed and nineteen injured, Canadians are showcasing our best qualities—including compassion and inclusiveness—by coming together to mourn in solidarity with our Muslim citizens. Thousands attended vigils across the country on Monday, and people of all faiths are reaching out to the Muslim community.
Take, for example, this powerful message of support that a Jewish friend sent Imam Yūsuf Badāt of the Islamic Foundation of Toronto. "I do know that whatever happens, we will be standing together as brothers," the note reads. "If you ever need us, please call."
Message I just received from a Jewish friend, in aftermath of #QuebecMosqueShooting pic.twitter.com/0QPxJPnwo6
— Yūsuf Badāt (@BadatYusuf) January 30, 2017
That message was one of the first he received, Badāt tells Canadian Living, but there have been so many like it, from many different communities and faith groups, that he hasn't had time to read them all yet. "It's so appreciated by the community," he says. "I've been in touch in the last 24 hours or so with several community and religious leaders from the Muslim community and they're all expressing the same sentiment."
All expressions of support are welcome, Badāt says, from donations to the Quebec mosque or Islamic Relief Canada in support of the families to personal visits to notes and emails offering solidarity during a sad and fearful time for Muslims across Canada. "It's very heartening and it's very touching, and it gives me a sense that I'm very proud to be a Canadian," he says. "I'd rather be a Canadian than anything else."
Here are five more examples of Canadians reaching out, regardless of their faith, to offer support to fellow citizens who are Muslim during this difficult time for their community.
1. Residents of Iqaluit, Nunavut gathered at a rally in support of the Muslim community on Monday, and more than 80 Iqalungmiut formed a circle around the town's mosque in solidarity.
Over 80 #Iqalungmiut form a circle near the Iqaluit mosque 2day, in solidarity with #Nunavut’s Muslims following the Ste-Foy killings pic.twitter.com/LngwpSUnEB
— Nunatsiaq News (@NunatsiaqNews) January 30, 2017
2. The Diocèse Anglican de Québec released a call for "prayer and solidarity with our Muslim neighbours" on Sunday. "We are gathered in Canterbury with 27 other bishops from across the Anglican Communion for several days of formation on episcopal ministry," reads the statement posted on Twitter by Bruce Myers, the diocese's coadjutor bishop. "The dean and chapter of the Canterbury Cathedral want you to know that this tragedy and its victims are being held up in this 1,400-year-old place of prayer."
A call to prayer for and solidarity with our #Muslim neighbours in #Quebec. pic.twitter.com/pPIV1y1UGQ
— Bruce Myers (@FatherBruce) January 30, 2017
3. Marc Miller, MP for Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Soeurs, was officially sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary on Monday. Miller posted a photo on Twitter showing that he used both a Bible and a Koran during his swearing in, in solidarity with Quebec's Muslim community.
Sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary today. Chose a Bible, and a Quran in solidarity with Quebec's Muslim Community. #QuebecMosqueAttack pic.twitter.com/Ddw7nB2XXL
— Marc Miller (@MarcMillerVM) January 30, 2017
4. "Calgary Sikhs condemn this act and are in solidarity with all of our Muslim brothers and sisters," reads a Twitter post sent by Calgary Sikhs on Monday. The group is participating in a multi-faith prayer for the Ste-Foy victims on Tuesday at the Akram Jomaa Islamic Centre Calgary.
Calgary Sikhs condemn this act and are in solidarity with all of our Muslim brothers and sisters. https://t.co/bBiN1Zr703
— Calgary Sikhs (@calgarysikhs) January 30, 2017
5. This Twitter post shows one of several bouquets of flowers left outside Masjid-an-Noor in St. John's. A community show of support is planned for during the Newfoundland mosque's Friday service.
A card and flowers left at the steps of the mosque on Logy Bay Road for the NL Muslim Association. #cbcnl pic.twitter.com/WhdCoRrI3G
— Cecil Haire (@cecilhaire) January 30, 2017
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