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Local Syrian groups Hold Vigil For Marrisa Shen
9-19-2018
Friday, September 14, 2018 members of the Syrian community organized a candlelit vigil for slain Burnaby teen Marrisa Shen.
Mohammed Alsaleh from Syrian Canadian Council of BC welcomed everyone to join and light a candle in the memory of Marrisa Shen and in support of her family.
The event was planned after he learned that a former Syrian refugee had been charged with the murder of 13-year-old Marrisa Shen of Burnaby.
“I was happy at first when I heard they arrested somebody,” said Alsaleh, who was given political asylum here four years ago. “But I realized the accused is a former Syrian refugee and I was so shocked.”
Ibrahim Ali was arrested last Friday and later charged with Shen’s murder. He will appear in Provincial Court in Vancouver Friday morning.
Ali has been in Canada just 17 months, arriving in March, 2017 with the joint sponsorship of a group of families on Bowen Island and the St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church.
Shen was murdered four months later, around July 18, 2017.
The vigil was held outside the Vancouver Provincial Courthouse attended by a small but vocal Syrian-Canadian members who offered condolences to the family and friends of Marissa and lit candles in remembrance of this Shen.
The group said in a Statement “it is a testament to our commitment as Syrian newcomers to Canada, on the same day, we continued to prove that we are as driven to what makes this country great as those who welcomed us to it. We are not a burden on society, nor are we exploiting its services. Today, we worked extra hard to make sure our four big catering orders were loaded with gratitude, love, compassion, and generosity! We are the sweeping majority of Syrian Canadians!”
Wishing Justice for Marissa and Peace for all Canadians!
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