On January 29, 2017, the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City was subject to a tragic, hateful, and Islamophobic crime. A gunman entered the place of worship and opened fire on the worshippers, killing 6 men and injuring many more.
Until this day, this tragic shooting continues to shake many hearts and bring deep sadness and fear to our communities. January 29 is a date that Muslims in Quebec and the rest of Canada will forever mourn.
The Guelph community was quick to react to this tragedy, and the following day the MSOG hosted a candlelight vigil. Over 1,000 Guelph citizens and community leaders came to support and grieve with the Muslim community.
Every year following the massacre in 2017 the Green Square Campaign takes place the week leading up to January 29th. The campaign is meant to remember the victims and survivors of the Quebec City mosque attack. The green square that is worn represents the green carpets of the Quebec City mosque, where the victims last stood to pray.
Wear the green square in solidarity with the six widows, the seventeen children left fatherless, Aymen Derbali who is left paralyzed for life, and every single person suffering the consequences of this hateful and despicable act of violence.
Change starts with spreading awareness and voicing our concerns. We thank our community leaders for standing with us and voicing their support and solidarity with not only the Muslim community of Guelph but the entire Muslim community across Canada.
On this fourth anniversary of the Québec City massacre, the Federal Government has officially designated January 29 as a National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia.
May Allah bless those we lost and grant them Jannatul Firdaus.
Ibrahima Barry (aged 39), Mamadou Tanou Barry (aged 42), Khaled Belkacemi (aged 60), Aboubaker Thabti (aged 44), Abdelkrim Hassane (aged 41) and Azzedine Soufiane (aged 57).