Members of Quebec City mosque gather for prayers ahead of shooting anniversary
Vigil planned as part of weekend events for victims of fatal attack
The first day of events honouring the anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting was capped off with prayers in the mosque that was the scene of the fatal Jan. 29, 2017 massacre.
The shooting left six men inside the Islamic Cultural Centre dead and several more injured.
Families of the victims and other Muslims gathered at the mosque in Sainte-Foy for evening prayers at 7:30 p.m.
Mosque president Mohamed Labidi thanked the assembled crowd for coming, and welcomed those who had come from Montreal and Toronto to show their support.
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Imam Youssouf Fofana led the service, marking the anniversary and calling for solidarity and reflection from the community.
"We're here today in this mosque, one year after the tragic event," he said. "We couldn't have imagined that an act like this could happen in this country, especially inside a mosque."
Living together
The series of commemorative events began Friday morning with a discussion about Islamophobia, racism and the far-right in Quebec.
One of the speakers, Nazir Ghali, led the prayers the night of the shooting.
Ghali cited studies conducted since the shooting which show a majority of Quebecers believe that by seeking religious accommodation, Muslims are sending a message that they don't want to integrate into Quebec society.
Another poll, he said, found that 50 per cent of those surveyed would not mind if Muslim immigrants were discouraged from immigrating to Quebec.
Negative perceptions persist
"Despite there being a certain openness from many Quebecers, there's still a negative perception," said Ghali, an economist.
Ghali said he believes that perception is fuelled by a combination of factors. He said the fact that many religious Muslims can be identified by how they are dressed makes it easier for them to be judged on their appearance.
He said as well, some politicians have sparked identity debates for electoral gain.
"Several parties succeeded in creating campaigns based on anti-Islam sentiment," he said.
Still, Ghali says, he has hope, helped by the outpouring of support for Quebec City's Muslim community that followed the shooting.
"Let us never forget that it took a tragedy for us to take a step forward in this learning," he said.
"Please, no more human sacrifice."
'Religion alone does not define me'
Samira Laouni, the founder of C.O.R., an organization advocating for improved intercultural relations, said she is often labelled or discriminated against because she wears a head scarf.
"Religion alone does not define me," Laouni said. "I am Canadian, a Quebecer of Muslim faith, a wife, a lover, a mother of four, one of whom has died.… I have a doctorate from Sorbonne University. I'm an activist."
"The only difference between Islam and other religions is that you can see it."
Events continue this weekend
On Saturday, the documentary Ta dernière marche da la mosquée will be shown at Université Laval at 1 p.m.
Later Saturday, the general public is invited to visit the mosque, where messages of sympathy and solidarity received over the past year will be on display. Families of the victims will be present and will address the public and media for the first time.
At 7 p.m. Sunday, there will be a spiritual gathering organized by First Nations and people of various religious affiliations at Expo-Cité, in Quebec's Limoilou district. Some members of the victims' families will speak, and there will be interfaith prayers and music.
A final homage will take place on Monday with a vigil to mark the anniversary of the tragedy. The public is invited to pay their respects to the families and the Muslim community starting at 6 p.m.
With files from Catou MacKinnon