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Vancouver remembers Fatal Shooting at Quebec Mosque
1-31-2018
Last year on January 29th, Alexandre Bissonnette shot worshippers while they were praying inside a Quebec Mosque. In the aftermath, there were 6 Martyrs and 19 fatally injured.
On Monday January 29th -2018 Vancouverites along with their fellow Canadians across Canada gathered in memorials across mosques to show solidarity with the victims and the Muslim Community.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau in a statement stated “One year ago tonight, a senseless attack at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec in Ste-Foy claimed the lives of six worshippers and seriously injured nineteen more.
“On this solemn anniversary, I join Canadians across the country to remember and honour those who were taken from us too soon. Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those who still live with the pain and trauma caused by the attack. We also honour the first responders, whose courage and professionalism saved lives that night.
“This was a terrorist attack against all Canadians, meant to test our resolve and weaken our values. It failed. In the wake of the shooting, a solidarity movement formed across the country as Canadians united to condemn the attack and counter hatred with hope.
“A year later, our message has not changed: We are stronger together. No matter our faith or where we were born, we are equal members of this country. We will not let an act of intolerance divide us and make any Canadian feel less at home.
“The Government of Canada stands in solidarity with Canada’s Muslim community. We will continue to fight Islamophobia and take action against it and all other forms of hatred and discrimination, and defend the diversity that makes Canada strong.”
His statement was followed by a tweet on his Tweeter handle with a hashtag #RememberJan29”
“Tonight, we gather in Quebec City to remember Khaled Belkacemi, Azzedine Soufiane, Abdelkrim Hassane, Aboubaker Thabti, Mamadou Tanou Barry, and Ibrahima Barry.”
Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement recognizing the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec on Jan. 29, 2017:
“One year ago, Canadians joined together in shock and horror in the aftermath of an attack that claimed the lives of six men at a Quebec City mosque, and injured many others.
“We honour the memories of those who were cruelly taken from their friends, their families and their communities in this act of terror: Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzedine Soufiane, and Aboubaker Thabti.
“These men were murdered because they were Muslim. This attack was the first time in Canadian history people who were gathered in a place of worship were targeted with violence. We must make sure it is the last.
“We stand with the Muslim community and every British Columbian attending vigils, sending prayers and taking action to fight hate, bigotry and Islamophobia. Together, we will build a stronger province and stronger communities united in love and compassion, not divided by hatred and fear.”
On Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., the B.C. Parliament Buildings’ archway and fountain will be illuminated green — a colour traditionally associated with the Muslim faith — to honour the lives lost in Quebec City, and to raise awareness about Islamophobia.
Vancouver Jamia Masjid Hosted an open house for the memorial where dignitaries from all levels of Government were present.
Haroon Khan said last year when he got the news, he was celebrating 50 years of BC Muslim Association and he was shocked when he got the news of the shooting. He welcomed the guests at the mosque and said “It means a world to him” to be present there in the gathering to share the sorrow and grief with the Muslim community, “Together we can accomplish anything, we can eliminate fear of the other.”
Vancouver Councillor Raymond Louie on behalf of Mayor Gregor Robertson visited the Jamia Mosque an declared January 29th as a day of remembrance and action against Islamophobia in the City of Vancouver.
Statement on behalf of Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada was read in which The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould stated, “The heinous crime shook the nation”, “and we must continue to condemn all forms of discrimination.”
Kashif Ahmed chair of NCCM, the civil liberties organization that is calling for January 29th to be declared as a day to combat Islamophobia said, “When one community is targeted we are all targeted.”
Other speakers also expressed their condolences.
#RememberJan29
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