A vigil was held Saturday evening in Montreal in memory of the six victims of the attack on the Great Mosque of Quebec, which occurred five years earlier.
Posted at 7:31 p.m.
More than a hundred Montrealers braved the biting cold to remember the tragedy, and prevent it. “It is extremely important that we are gathered here today to say that we remember,” whispered Ehab Lotayef, co-founder of Muslim Discovery Week, who organized the ceremony, into the microphone.
“But above all, to say we will work together to make this province and this country a better place, a place that does not discriminate against its inhabitants for their beliefs, the color of their skin, their origin or any other reason,” said he continued.
In front of him, citizens, politicians and representatives of community organizations observed silence. Behind him, the faces of tragedy lit up in the candlelight and streetlights of the Parc metro.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
Five years ago, to the day, an armed man opened fire in the great mosque of Quebec, at prayer time. Six people lost their lives in the massacre, which left 17 orphans and several seriously injured.
This sad anniversary also marked the first National Day of Remembrance of the Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia, established by the Trudeau government. A commemorative event was also held Saturday evening in Quebec.
Fight Islamophobia
Met on the spot, Shadad Salman recalled that after the tributes, it is necessary to attack the roots of the problem. “It is important not to forget the causes that led to this tragedy. Tragedies bring change, but we must never forget that we must continue the work,” she pleads.
The deputy leader of the New Democratic Party, Alexandre Boulerice, present at the rally, also condemned Islamophobia. “Have we changed as a society, have we progressed over the past five years? I think there is a dialogue that has opened up. I think we talk openly more about Islamophobia, ”he said, shooting an arrow in passing at Quebec, which does not recognize systemic racism.
Vigil canceled in Ottawa
In Ottawa, truck convoy fears forced the cancellation of a similar ceremony. The Canadian collective against hate, which organized the rally, was forced to hold the activity virtually.
“I’m sure there are good people protesting in Ottawa, but there are also people with racist signs, hate speech, Nazi flags, American Confederate flags. […] I find it horrible, regrettable and it shows how much work we still have to do, ”lamented Alexandre Boulerice.