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As we Remember the Quebec City Mosque Attack
1-29-2022
The heart hurts this morning.
Thinking about Aymen Derbali.
Thinking about the six families who had their universes taken from them.
Thinking about the wounded.
Thinking about a community forever changed.
Thinking about London.
Thinking about the IMO.
May Allah forgive us, and grant mercy to those left behind.
Today, as we mark the 5th anniversary of the Quebec City mosque attack, and the first designated National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia, I am reminded about the beauty of our communities.
It is not lost on me that on this day where we collectively vow to eradicate Islamophobia in Canada, a vigil in Ottawa had to be cancelled tonight after white supremacist elements in the rally there.
But despite the noise, despite the fears, we stand tall, united in our resolve to remember those we have lost and to take action against the scourge of Islamophobia.
Yesterday, over 60 masajid across the country dedicated their jummah prayers to honour those we have lost to Islamophobia.
Canadian Muslims from coast to coast worked to have their local monuments lit green and posted moving messages calling for change, calling for accountability, collectively raising our voices to say "no more."
We worked with Google Canada to place a green square on their homepage for the day to acknowledge the day. A special filter was created for Instagram and Facebook so that everyone can participate in remembering January 29th and learn more about Islamophobia.
Our elected leaders of all stripes wore green squares and sent messages of solidarity. And to them we have made it clear that these important symbolic gestures must be matched with real and urgent action.
Yesterday evening, much thanks to all of your advocacy, Minister Hussen announced the Government of Canada's commitment to our recommendation (#19) of appointing a Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. This is a major historic commitment. It’s our job to make sure that the new Office works properly. But if it does, there is a huge potential to confront Islamophobia. The announcement by Minister Hussen is historic - we are the first country in the G-20 to have such an office - and NCCM staffers were working day and night to make it happen.
Today the Ontario NDP re-committed to introducing the Our London Family Act, Canada's largest piece of legislation to combat Islamophobia, in the next few weeks. And Ontario's Liberal Party made public commitments to support its introduction and passage, as have the Ontario Green Party. The Ontario government has also pledged to work with us on bringing change.
So much has happened, yet there is so much still to do, by the grace of the Merciful. Change is coming but we all need to keep pushing so that what happened on January 29th, 2017 never happens again.
Tonight, as you step out to take in the lighting of monuments for January 29th, or gather with your loved ones to envision a future free of Islamophobia, I want you to remember that our team at NCCM will always stand with you to work towards the change we need.
Wasalam, and sincerely,
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