Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Assalamu Alaikum.
It has been almost six years since a gunman entered the Centre Culturel Islamique in Quebec City and opened fire on the congregation who was gathered there for the Isha prayer. This horrific attack took the lives of six Muslim men and gravely injured many others. It also left six widows, several orphans and many survivors with irrevocable losses and lifelong trauma.
Since this tragic and horrific attack, MANAL has strongly advocated for and played an active role in addressing and taking action against Islamophobia. We helped developing national and provincial strategies to identify and eliminate the systemic causes of this problem. We remain committed to be part of the solution working together with our national, provincial and municipal allies.
As a result of our collective efforts, in 2021, the Government of Canada designated January 29 a National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia. Last year, a similar designation was also made by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
This week, as we approach the sixth anniversary of the Quebec City Mosque attack, we will be taking some initiatives to honor the memories of the victims and to express our continued commitment to stand against Islamophobia. Accordingly:
- We will be reaching out to different levels of government asking for public monuments (i.e. Government House, Confederation Building and City Hall) to be lit green on the weekend of January 29 as a symbolic gesture of support and solidarity
- Masjid Al Noor will be joining other Canadian mosques by designating its Jumah Khutbah of January 27 to the National Day of Remembrance and Action Against Islamophobia
- We will have a Quran recitation and congregational douaa at Masjid Al Noor right after the Isha prayer on January 29
- As part of a national campaign, MANAL Executives, Volunteer Imams & Khateebs will be publicly wearing a 2" x 2" green square during the week of January 29. (All members of our Muslim community are encouraged to join the campaign. You can easily home make your own green square using felt or any other material and then attach it to your jacket / coat with a safety pin.)
May Allah swt bless all the victims of Islamophobia with the highest ranks of Jannah, give patience and strength to their families and friends. As Muslims, we will continue to do our part by spreading peace and awareness in our communities, supporting each other and standing up for our rights.
Jazakumullahu Khairan
MANAL Executive Committee