National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack, January 29, 2025

- Jan 29, 2025

News

The City of Kitchener joins people across Canada in reflecting on this National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia. We condemn the senseless attack at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec and commit to the collective fight to end Islamophobia. 

Eight years ago today, Muslim worshippers at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City were subjected to a tragic and hateful gunman attack that left six men dead, 19 people injured, some permanently disabled, and many more severely traumatized.

Today, Kitchener joins cities and communities across Canada to take a moment of silence to remember:

Ibrahima Barry 
Mamadou Tanou Barry
Khaled Belkacemi
Abdelkrim Hassane
Azzeddine Soufiane
Aboubaker Thabti

Unfortunately, this Islamophobic act is one of many examples we have witnessed across our nation and in Waterloo Region. 

Closer to home, we remember the disturbing vehicle attack in London, ON, in 2021 that killed Madiha Salman; Yumna Afzaal; Salman Afzaal and Talat Afzaal and left their son, Fayez Afzaal, injured and orphaned.  

In the Coalition of Muslim Women KW’s 3rd annual Snapshot of Hate in Waterloo Region Report, 115 incidents of hate or racial discrimination were recorded. This marks at 26% increase in reported cases over the previous year. 74% of the reported cases involved victims who were identified as Muslim. These incidents took place in institutions, businesses, neighbourhoods, and online.

This included a hate-motivated incident of verbal and physical assault against Mifrah Abid in Kitchener in May 2024. There is no place for this behaviour in Kitchener and we honour Mifrah for having the strength to come forward publicly as well as the Coalition of Muslim Women for highlighting this incident as a stark reminder of Islamophobia in our community.

Canada has the highest number of deaths related to Islamophobia in all G7 countries (National Canadian Council of Muslims). Islamophobia is growing across Canada – a trend that we must come together to reverse. It is imperative that we address this hate proactively and mitigate the harm before it spreads even further.

This week, across Canada, communities are standing together in unity with our Muslim neighbours by lighting buildings and infrastructure in green lights, lowering flags to half mast, providing supportive messaging on signage boards and joining in the national Green Square Campaign, which is organized by the National Council of Canadian Muslims and others.

In Kitchener, Carl Zehr Square at City Hall has been lit green, and our flags are at half-mast. All City of Kitchener community centres with digital signs are also displaying messages of support for the #GreenSquareCampaign. 

The Green Square Campaign represents the green carpets of Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec, the last place where the victims stood to pray. It also symbolizes the Islamic belief that the lost lives are in a green garden, a better place.

I call on Kitchener residents to join me to stand with those working to eliminate Islamophobia, hate and racism in Canada by participating in the Green Square Campaign. More information can be found at www.nccm.ca/greensquare. 

We all have a role to play in creating a society rooted in respect and inclusion. If you witness Islamophobia or acts of hate—whether in words or actions —do not remain silent. Speak up. Your voice can challenge ignorance and hate, offering support to those targeted.

Islamophobia and religious hate have no place in Kitchener, in Canada or anywhere. No one should be discriminated against based on their religion. Today, we stand in solidarity with our local Muslim community as we remember victims of the Islamophobic attack in Quebec City, and across Ontario and Canada.  

We also thank local leaders such as those with the Coalition of Muslim Women KW; Muslim Social Services of Kitchener Waterloo; the Muslim Association of Canada; the Maple Grove School; and others who work tirelessly every day to educate our community and combat Islamophobia throughout Kitchener and Waterloo Region. 

These organizations provide important resources and support to our community including anti-hate services, training, victim support, public education and community events to build belonging and understanding.

Today, and every day, please join our Kitchener community as we stand against Islamophobia.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, on behalf of Kitchener Council   

For more information, contact: 

Shannon Weber, Chief of Staff 
City of Kitchener 
shannon.weber@kitchener.ca 

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Kitchener, Ontario
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