January 29 Commemoration

January 29 Commemoration

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Assalamu Alaikum.

It has been almost eight years since a gunman entered the Centre Culturel Islamique in Quebec City and opened fire on the congregation who had gathered there for 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 have helped to develop national and provincial strategies to identify and eliminate the systemic causes of this problem. We remain committed to be part of the solution by 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 National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia. In 2023, a similar designation was also made by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

As we approach the eighth anniversary of the Quebec City Mosque attack, we took, and will be taking, some initiatives to honor the memories of the victims and to express our continued commitment to stand against Islamophobia. Accordingly: 

  1. We have reached out to different levels of government asking for public monuments (i.e. Government House, Confederation Building and City Hall) to be lit green on January 29 as a symbolic gesture of support and solidarity
  2. 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 Muslim Canadians, 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

 

Powered by Drupal