Victims of Quebec mosque shooting remembered in Green Square Campaign
Posted January 29, 2021 6:50 pm.
Last Updated January 29, 2021 8:13 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Friday marks the fourth anniversary of the deadly mosque attack in Quebec, and the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is hoping people will take part in the “Green Square Campaign” to remember victims and survivors.
NCCM’s Yusuf Fariqi says the color green was chosen because it represents harmony, and because it is the colour of the carpet at the Islamic Cultural Centre.
“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,” urges the campaign website.
Fed. gov't says Jan. 29 will become a National Day of Remembrance for the 2017 Quebec mosque attack which saw six men shot to death during a prayer service. The day will also be used to promote action against Islamophobia. BG on the shooter: https://t.co/HXhOWB4rXk
— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) January 28, 2021
Fariqi says the group is also raising money to rebuild the mosque.
“Most of the mosque that was damaged on Jan. 29, 2017 has not been fixed,” he says.
“The worshippers were already traumatized on that historically difficult day, imagine them going there and they’re reminded of that tragedy every day.”
The fundraising goal is $200,000.
The federal government has named Jan. 29 the “National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia.”
Fariqi welcomes the move as “an important start,” saying a national strategy is needed to fight and dismantle white supremacy.
“If we don’t, there will be another attack. But it’s an important decision. All Quebecers and Canadians at large should be proud of themselves on this very important day because that day was an attack on all of us regardless of faith.”
He points out the attack was the deadliest act of terrorism perpetrated at a place of worship in Canadian history.
To make a donation to help rebuild the mosque head to the NCCM’s website.
