National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia

Justin Trudeau Photo: Twitter

PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday issued the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia:

“Today, we remember the six people who lost their lives and the 19 others who were seriously injured during the terrorist attack at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec in Sainte-Foy.

“On the fifth anniversary of this tragedy, we also mark the first National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia. Today, we pay tribute to the victims of this hateful act of terror, who were senselessly killed at the hands of bigotry, Islamophobia, and racism. We express solidarity with the survivors and those injured, the families and friends who lost a loved one, and all the communities of Quebec City and across Canada whose lives have been changed forever.

“We also honour the heroes and first responders who acted swiftly and courageously to save the lives of worshippers. This cowardly attack sought to instill fear and divide us. Instead, Canadians came together and united around shared values of diversity, peace, and respect. They showed their support to Muslim communities in Quebec City and across Canada by fighting discrimination, intolerance, and hatred in all its forms.

“Canada strives to champion human rights, freedom of expression, and freedom of belief. The government condemns Islamophobia and all forms of racism and discrimination in our society, and that is why confronting Islamophobia is an important part of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy.

“Last July, the Government of Canada held a National Summit on Islamophobia, where we committed to supporting anti‑racism programs that address Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence. We are moving forward with our intention to work with Muslim communities on the designation of a special representative to combat Islamophobia.

“Our strategy includes a whole-of-government approach to tackling systemic racism with dedicated knowledge and expertise through the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat. It also includes investments to empower communities to combat different forms of racism, including Islamophobia, and to advance digital and civic literacy initiatives that address online disinformation and hate speech. We will establish a National Support Fund for Survivors of Hate-Motivated Crimes to help survivors and are committed to renewing and strengthening the Anti-Racism Strategy in 2022 with a National Action Plan to expand on our ongoing work to combat hate and racism.

“The government will continue to strengthen gun control. On July 7, 2021, we extended background checks to cover the lifetime of an applicant looking to obtain a firearms licence. We have also banned 1,500 assault-style weapons, and will proceed with a mandatory buyback, meaning these firearms can never be sold, transferred or bequeathed, and ensuring they’re rendered fully and permanently inoperable at government expense. We know there is more work to do and we want to work with any province or territory that wants to ban handguns across their jurisdiction. Our government also invested in the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program, to provide funding and support for communities at risk of hate crimes.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I encourage everyone to take a moment to remember the victims and survivors of the fatal shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec and to all those affected by this heinous crime. Together, we will continue to fight against Islamophobia, and all other forms of hatred, as we build a stronger, more diverse, and more inclusive Canada.”

 

John Horgan

B.C. Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement on the anniversary of the 2017 terrorist attack on the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec:

“Although five years have passed since the terrorist attack on the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec, the shock and horror of this despicable act have not diminished.

“The attack claimed the lives of six people and injured several more. It brought violence into a place of sanctity and affected Muslim communities around the world.

“We honour the memory of Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzedine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti. Thanks to their sacrifice, many more lives were saved. We join their families, friends and communities in mourning their loss.

“We are a stronger society when united by compassion rather than divided by hatred. Our response to this heinous attack must be to always confront Islamophobia in all its forms.

“We must be united in our opposition to hate speech and racist violence as we build a more equitable society that promotes respect for all.

“On this sombre anniversary, we stand with the Muslim community by pledging to continue the fight against hate, bigotry and Islamophobia.”

 

THE National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) said in a statement: “Today marks five years since the Quebec City mosque attack and the first National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia.

“To honour the lives we have lost to Islamophobic violence, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is calling for all Canadians to join the Green Square Campaign to remember and stand against Islamophobia.”
Alongside Canadian Muslims and allies from across the country, NCCM marks January 29 by calling on all Canadians to participate in the Green Square Campaign to honour the lives of those we lost in the Quebec City mosque attack and resolve to build the foundation for a safer, more equitable and inclusive Canada.
The green square represents the green carpets of the CCIQ mosque, where the victims last stood to pray. It is also a symbol that represents a call to action to join and support the resilience of Muslim Canadians and allies who have fought tirelessly in the past five years for a country without Islamophobia and hate.
“The past five years have been a pivotal time of reflection and growth for Canadian Muslims,” said Mustafa Farooq, CEO of NCCM. “The tragedy on January 29, 2017 at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City forever changed the way Canadian Muslims relate to Canada as a country and home, and made it quite clear that things need to change. But we know that remembering is an important part of seeing that change. We call on all to join our Green Square Campaign to remember January 29 and to stand with us against Islamophobia.”
“I remember the heartwarming outpouring of unity, support, and prayer on the night of January 29, 2017, but unfortunately this has not eliminated the climate of hate and Islamophobia that plagues much of Quebec and Canadian society,” said Lina El Bakr, Quebec Advocacy Officer at NCCM. “Islamophobia has claimed more victims since that night. There is no doubt that we as a country have our work cut out for us. We have heard our elected leaders denounce the violence Canadian Muslims have endured, but action has been slow and piecemeal. It is time for us all to go beyond words and take action.”
As part of the Green Square Campaign, monuments across the country will be lit green in solidarity including the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, and the Samuel De Champlain bridge in Montreal. For a full list of monuments and landmarks being lit on January 29 visit https://www.nccm.ca/monument-lighting/.

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