(Quebec) The Canadian Prime Minister took advantage of the commemorations of the attack on the Great Mosque of Quebec to denounce Islamophobia on Saturday and condemn “this act of terrorism” which killed six people five years ago to the day.
Posted at 8:48 a.m.
Updated at 12:47 p.m.
“On this day, we honor the victims of this act of hate-motivated terrorism, who were senselessly killed in a fit of intolerance, Islamophobia and racism,” Justin Trudeau said in a written statement. .
“The government condemns Islamophobia and all forms of racism and discrimination that exist in our society, and that is why the fight against Islamophobia is an integral part of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy,” continued Mr. Trudeau.
A ceremony will take place Saturday evening at the Grand Mosque of Quebec, where a shooter discharged his weapon on January 29, 2017, at prayer time. The assassin left six dead, several seriously injured and 17 orphans.
The Canadian government followed up this year on a long-standing claim by the Islamic Cultural Center (CCIQ), which manages the mosque. Ottawa has established the first national day against Islamophobia.
Justin Trudeau also intends to “appoint a special representative in charge of the fight against Islamophobia”.
A virtual ceremony
The Premier of Quebec, François Legault, is expected Saturday evening at the official ceremony. The new mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, will also be present.
Pandemic obliges, the public will not be able to attend the event in person. However, it will be broadcast on the CCIQ’s Facebook page.
Five years after the tragedy, the spokesperson for the CCIQ notes with regret that Islamophobia and insults are still present on social networks, which he attributes to a minority of people.
Boufeldja Benabdallah also reproached the governments for the lack of concrete gestures to attack the circulation and the possession of firearms, finding moreover inconceivable that the weapons which the killer of the Great Mosque of Quebec can still travel freely in the country.
PHOTO FRÉDÉRIC MATTE, LE SOLEIL ARCHIVES
The president of the Islamic Cultural Center of Quebec, Boufeldja Benabdallah
Several Quebec Muslims, including Mr. Benabdallah and a survivor, wrote a letter to the provincial and federal governments asking for quick action.
“It is absolutely harmful and shameful to note that in five years, NOTHING has been done to change the circumstances which allowed this individual to acquire or keep such an arsenal”, can we read in the missive.
They particularly deplore that the Glock pistol used by the assassin can still be legally acquired.
Justin Trudeau said on Saturday his intention “to strengthen gun control”. He recalls that the federal government has “expanded background checks”.
“We have also banned 1,500 assault weapons and will proceed with the implementation of a mandatory buy-back, which means that these firearms can never be sold, transferred or bequeathed,” writes the Prime Minister.
Mr. Trudeau concedes, however, “that there is still work to be done”. “We want to do this with the provinces and territories that wish to introduce a ban on handguns in their territory. »
With The Canadian Press