'Shocked and horrified': Edmonton reacts to Quebec mosque shooting

From the premier to the police chief, from imams to the man in the street, Edmontonians from all communities reacted with horror Monday to the shootings in Quebec City.

After morning prayers, Imam Nasser Ibrahim urged his congregation at Al Rashid Mosque to share the peaceful teachings of their faith with the wider community.

Secular rights activist Luke Fevin said he contacted members of the mosque to look for "a way that is appropriate and respectful for the greater community to show the Muslim community here that they're loved and appreciated and safe here."

Fevin said people should remember that Muslims first arrived in Edmonton in the 19th century, and Al Rashid Mosque has been open for prayers since 1938.

"I think it's important that we clear up these myths," he said, "and that we understand that Muslims have been part of our community for a long, long time."

Fevin, who is a member of an atheist organization, said at times like this the need to show solidarity surpasses all other considerations.

"We are human beings and we're Canadian," he said. "And I think we share in this shock and this grief. And if there are people that live in our community, that are a visible minority, that are feeling vulnerable and afraid and feel like outsiders, then I think it is on us to do the absolute best we can to have them not feel that way."

Ibrahim said his congregation at Al Rashid has been on edge since people first learned about Sunday's attack at a Quebec City mosque, which killed six and wounded 19 others.

The imam said he fears that if tolerance is not fostered, hatred towards Muslims will only continue to grow.

"It is really a big shock," he said. "And if the whole community doesn't work together —  Muslim and non-Muslim, different backgrounds — it will be a big crisis for the whole country."

If the whole community doesn't work together ... it will be a big crisis for the whole country.-  Imam Nasser Ibrahim

Hatred, he said, "is like a big fire that destroys everything in its wake. Right now, we can control people's anger. But tomorrow? No one knows."

Nasser plans to hold a meeting at the mosque Friday with community leaders, police and mosque officials across the province, to ensure the community's security concerns are addressed.

'We must stand together' 

A candlelight vigil will be held at the Alberta legislature in Edmonton Monday  at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring candles, though some will be provided.

Nigel Robinson, co-executive director of the Global Indigenous Youth Coalition, a new anti-racism collective, said he plans to attend the vigil.

"It's important to stand in solidarity with each other," he said. "If we become advocates for each other, then we can stop this kind of behaviour."

Ibrahim said extremists need to know their beliefs will not be tolerated.

"The government has to have a very quick and decisive action against anyone — whatever his background, whatever his religion, whatever his belief — to stop these kind of crimes, especially in a peaceful country like Canada."

• 6 dead in shooting at Quebec City mosque, 2 men arrested

'In some ways, we're not surprised'

Masood Peracha, chairman of the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities, said the violent attack has left Edmonton's Muslim community shaken.

"We are clearly shocked and horrified to hear about this kind of incident happening in Canada," Peracha said.

"We know that there has been an anti-Muslim rhetoric which has been allowed to be built and nurtured over the last several months, maybe even longer, and there have been other incidents. But this is not something we expected to happen in Canada."  

There is definitely a concern in the community. There is basically a climate of fear that's been created.- Masood Peracha, chairman of the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities

While a motive for the attack remains unclear and police continue to investigate, anti-Muslim sentiment has grown in Canada, fuelled, in part, by the racist vitriol seen in Donald Trump's presidential campaign, Peracha said. 

"There is definitely a concern in the community. There is basically a climate of fear that's been created," he said.

A spokesperson said Edmonton police have been in "constant contact" with the RCMP and other federal agencies since the attack. Though they remain "vigilant and sensitive" to the heightened safety concerns, police say the threat level in Canada has not changed.

"Our thoughts are with the victims of this hateful attack, and the entire Muslim community locally, nationally, and internationally," said Edmonton police Chief Rod Knecht. "We grieve as a community, and we stand in solidarity against all acts of hate, violence, and discrimination."

Mohamoud Barkadleh, an Edmonton man who was attending the Sahaba Mosque for Monday's morning prayers, said Muslims should not allow the terrorist attack to make them fearful of their fellow Canadians.

Instead, he's urging those who follow Allah to step outside the relative comfort of their mosques and connect with the wider community.

"I'm saddened that some evil people tried to divide this wonderful society," said Barkadleh."I was saddened as a Muslim. I feel that my community was a victim. But I blame only the criminal person who took that action."

"This lone and single action has nothing to do with the value of Canadian people, no matter what colour, which religion, which background they are. And I strongly urge the Muslim community to take this as an isolated act."