Residents of Montreal gathered in Pierrefonds to commemorate the anniversary of the tragic 2017 Quebec City Mosque shooting, a solemn occasion to honor the lives of the six Muslim men who lost their lives. The event served as a poignant reminder of how the incident had a lasting impact on perceptions of safety and belonging in Canada.
Among those in attendance, community members expressed how the massacre had reshaped their views of the country. Ola Shaheen, marketing lead at the Canadian Youth Development Center, highlighted the profound shift in perception, stating, “The sense of safety and belonging in Canada was forever altered following the tragedy.”
The gathering, which included residents, advocates, and community leaders, was a unified stand against Islamophobia. Dr. Kosar Khwaja, a trauma surgeon and critical care physician, expressed concern that progress in addressing hate and discrimination had regressed in the years since the attack. Reflecting on the past and present, Dr. Khwaja emphasized the lingering threat of Islamophobia, noting, “The warning signs leading up to the attack are still prevalent today.”
Attendees stressed the importance of combating Islamophobia through both large-scale initiatives and everyday actions within local communities. Catherine Roscoe, community engagement and events manager at Overture With the Arts, emphasized the role of individual efforts, stating, “We all play a part in combating Islamophobia, whether it’s through simple acts like getting to know our neighbors and participating in community activities.”
Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s special representative on combatting Islamophobia, underscored the need to address all forms of hate in order to preserve social cohesion and democracy. She emphasized the collective responsibility of Canadians in fighting intolerance and hatred.
The event served as a poignant reminder of the need for unity and collective action in the face of adversity. Elghawaby urged continued commitment to combating hate, stating, “We must stand together against intolerance and build a society where unity prevails over division.”
