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Vancouver City Council Passed Motion Designating January 29th as Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia
1-20-2020
Vancouver City Councillor Jean Swanson made a motion at the City Council meeting on Tuesday January 21 to designate January 29th as a Day of Remembrance and Action Against Islamophoiba to mark the third anniversary of the Quebec Mosque Massacre.
“We hope that in designating this day, the City of Vancouver will make a commitment to develop a policy and action to fight Islamophobia and all other forms of bigotry” says Imtiaz Popat from the Coalition Against Bigotry - Pacific
MOTION ON NOTICE
Designating January 29th as Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia
Submitted by: Councillor Swanson
WHEREAS
1.On January 29, 2017, a white gunman entered the Islamic Cultural Centre mosque in Quebec City and opened fire on dozens of Muslim worshipers;
2.By the time the shooting had ended, six people had been tragically killed and 19 more were injured: Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, and Azzedine Soufiane lost their lives that night;
3.Muslim communities across Canada were, and continue to be, affected by this and other acts of hate, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia—including the anti-Islam rally planned for August 19, 2017, outside Vancouver City Hall;
4.To commemorate January 29, Muslim communities in Vancouver have held vigils, discussions, and other events, including an annual vigil during evening prayers at the Vancouver Al-jamia Mosque on 8th Ave, which is the oldest mosque in BC;
5.The cities of Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Hamilton, and Windsor have all designated January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia. Many municipalities across Canada commemorate the events of January 29 with their Muslim community partners, and there is a nation-wide campaign for the federal government to recognize the day nationally (About the Campaign).
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
A.THAT Council declare January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia, adding it to its official observances calendar.
B.THAT the City reach out to the Muslim community and collaborates to hold a time for prayer and/or moment of silence on January 29 at City Hall, with participation from Mayor and Council.
C.THAT on January 29, flags at City Hall be lowered to half mast.
A.THAT the City of Vancouver acknowledge this day with a proclamation.
To remember January 29, a vigil has been held annually during evening prayers at the Vancouver Al-jamia Mosque on 8th Ave (the oldest mosque in BC), and similar events have been held by other community groups in Vancouver;
The cities of Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Hamilton, and Windsor have all designated January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia. Many municipalities across Canada commemorate the events of January 29 with their Muslim community partners, and there is a nation-wide campaign for the federal government to recognize the day nationally (https://www.january29.ca/about);
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT
Council designate January 29th as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia and other forms of religious discrimination to recognize this day.
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