One year later: Canada remembers victims of Quebec City mosque shooting
Vigils and ceremonies are being held across the country in memory of the lives lost in last year’s terrorist attack at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec mosque in Quebec City.
Azzedine Soufiane, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry and Ibrahima Barry were attending a prayer service when a gunman entered the mosque and began shooting. Nineteen people were also injured in the gruesome attack.
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend a special vigil in Quebec City, alongside Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard.
In a statement, Trudeau sent a reminder that “the Government of Canada stands in solidarity with Canada’s Muslim community.”
“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.”
On the anniversary of the fatal shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec, we remember those who were taken from us too soon & stand with Canada’s Muslim community against hate & Islamophobia: https://t.co/FYj815zyWr
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 29, 2018
Other Canadians also took to Twitter denounce hatred and Islamophobia.
One year ago today the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City, the Muslim community, and our country, were shaken by a deadly mass shooting. There is no place for Islamophobia, xenophobia, violence, or discrimination in Canada. 1/2
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) January 29, 2018
That senseless act of violence is a reminder that hate and discrimination come from ignorance. We must embrace our differences and learn from each other. We are stronger together. Diversity is our strength. 2/2
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) January 29, 2018
Today, we mark one year since the tragic events which occurred in a Mosque in Quebec City which took the lives of six and injured nineteen people who had gathered in peace, friendship and prayer. 1/2
— Dianne Watts (@DianneWatts4BC) January 29, 2018
A year ago today six innocent people were murdered while praying peacefully at the Quebec Islamic Centre. We remember them, while continuing to condemn the hatred that led to this violent attack on the freedom of religion.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2018
Today we remember the lives taken in a horrifying act of terror at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec. We stand with the Muslim community in Québec & across Canada — we’re committed to fighting Islamophobia & all forms of hate. No one should be persecuted for their faith.
— Kathleen Wynne (@Kathleen_Wynne) January 29, 2018
It has been exactly 1 year since the terror attack in Quebec City that took the lives of 6 innocent people and injured 19 more. There will be a candlelight vigil tonight in Nathan Phillips Square to honour the memory of these victims. #RememberJan29 pic.twitter.com/AoE653mtqo
— John Tory (@JohnTory) January 29, 2018
See their faces.
Say their names.• Azzedine Soufiane
• Khaled Belkacemi
• Aboubaker Thabti
• Abdelkrim Hassane
• Mamadou Tanou Barry
• Ibrahima Barry#RememberJan29.Portraits by @syrusmarcusware & @coyotewatson w/@CouncilofCDNs
more here:https://t.co/Z6smyT76p5 pic.twitter.com/b4irxWj5ka
— Rachel Small (@rach_small) January 28, 2018
One year ago, six muslims were murdered after prayers in a Quebec City mosque. i’ll never forget how it felt to be Muslim in Canada on that day #RememberJan29
— Sarah Hagi (@geekylonglegs) January 29, 2018
I cannot imagine anything more vile & cowardly than gunning ppl down as they pray. A year later, my heart still aches for these families. A year later, I’m still deeply concerned about the level of ignorance & hate I often see re: immigrants, specifically Muslims. #RememberJan29
— Toula Drimonis (@ToulasTake) January 29, 2018
A year ago today we were confronted with the hate that lives in our society. 6 men were gunned down inside a Quebec mosque. Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzedine Soufiane. Let’s not forget their names. #RememberJan29
— Ginella Massa (@Ginella_M) January 29, 2018
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is organizing remembrance and solidarity events across the country.
Remembrance events will be taking place today in:
- Vancouver at Al Masjid Al Jamia
- Calgary at Calgary City Hall
- Toronto at Nathan Philips Square
- Quebec City at 820 Rue du Chanoine-Mar
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