Vancouver City Council passes motion to mark Quebec mosque massacre anniversary

Jean Swanson Photo: Twitter

VANCOUVER City Council has designated January 29 as the Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia. The motion was introduced by Councillor Jean Swanson.

“I was really happy that my motion on designating January 29 as a day of remembrance and action against Islamophobia passed unanimously,” said Swanson.

“We hope that in designating this day, the City of Vancouver will make a commitment to develop a policy and action to fight Islamophobia and all other forms of bigotry,” said Imtiaz Popat of the Coalition Against Bigotry – Pacific.

The Motion:

WHEREAS

1. On January 29, 2017, a white gunman entered the Islamic Cultural Centre mosque in Quebec City and opened fire on dozens of Muslim worshipers;

2. By the time the shooting had ended, six people had been tragically killed and 19 more were injured: Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, and Azzedine Soufiane lost their lives that night;

3. Muslim communities across Canada were, and continue to be, affected by this and other acts of hate, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia—including the anti-Islam rally planned for August 19, 2017, outside Vancouver City Hall;

4. To commemorate January 29, Muslim communities in Vancouver have held vigils, discussions, and other events, including an annual vigil during evening prayers at the Vancouver Al-jamia Mosque on 8th Ave, which is the oldest mosque in BC;

5. The cities of Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Hamilton, and Windsor have all designated January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia. Many municipalities across Canada commemorate the events of January 29 with their Muslim community partners, and there is a nation-wide campaign for the federal government to recognize the day nationally (https://www.january29.ca/about).

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council declare January 29th as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia, adding it to its official observances calendar;

FURTHER THAT the City of Vancouver acknowledge this day with a proclamation.