SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Ewan Affleck called the Quebec City mosque shooting a horrible tragedy that flies in the face of Canadian values.
President of the Islamic Centre of Yellowknife Nazim Awan talks during the solidarity gathering which took place in the centre's prayer room. The group was there to express solidarity with Muslims on Monday night, after a mass shooting left six people dead the night before in Quebec City. - Robin Grant/NNSL photo |
This is why he said he felt compelled to gather in support of Yellowknife's Muslim community on Monday night at the Islamic Centre of Yellowknife. He joined about 150 others, including Mayor Mark Heyck, Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green, Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart and president of the Islamic Centre of Yellowknife Nazim Awan to condemn the deadly attack that killed six people and injured 19 others on Sunday evening.
Affleck said he is worried about the anti-Muslim sentiment growing around the world after the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States.
"It's a complete disaster what's happening in the United States," he said. "As Canadians, we are a multicultural country that is tolerant, and this needs to be expressed. The outgrowth of intolerance in the world right now is deeply disturbing."
Matthew Martin organized the vigil. He agreed with Affleck's sentiments, saying the bigotry blossoming in the U.S. seems to be spilling over into Canada, and that frightens him.
"I think that people need to come together and show solidarity for the targets of hate, including our Muslim brothers and sisters who live in Yellowknife," he said. "It's important that they know that they are part of our community and that they are accepted and that people stand in support of them."
After holding up signs that read "salam," meaning "peace" in Arabic, the supporters made their way into the Islamic Centre prayer room to hear the speakers.
Mayor Mark Heyck told the assembled crowd Yellowknife's residents will continue to express love and welcome people into the community.
"We will continue to be a light in a sometimes dark world," he said. "When I look at the number of people who came out today to express their support in solidarity with the Muslim community here in Yellowknife, that gives me hope."
Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green had a similar message, saying this sort of violence is wrong.
"I'm sure that many of you feel very unsafe now," she said. "And I'm sorry I can't say that I will make you safe, but what I can say is that we do support and we stand with you, and we wish you every blessing in coming to terms with this terrible disaster."
Many members of the Muslim community attended the event, including Rami Kassem.
"I was listening to everybody talking, and I was tearing up because I didn't imagine that, with this short notice, so many people would support us," he said. "We all got hurt as Muslims, and we all got hurt as Canadians. We are one body as Muslims, Christians, and Jewish (people). Whether we are black or white, we are one body as Canadians ... One part of the body got hurt, and the rest of the body is supporting it."
President of the Islamic Centre of Yellowknife Nazim Awan expressed a heartfelt appreciation of the support and encouraged it to continue.
"This is not about Muslims," he said. "It is about humanity. If today they are targeting us, tomorrow they will target somebody else."
Solidarity gatherings took place across Canada, including a candlelight vigil in Whitehorse and a gathering in Iqaluit. In Quebec City, thousands of people gathered Monday night in front of the Islamic cultural centre where the shootings took place. They were joined by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who told the crowd that Canada stands in solidarity with its Muslim community and will protect their rights.
"This was a group of innocents targeted for practicing their faith," Trudeau said on Monday in a statement in the House of Commons. "Make no mistake - this was a terrorist attack. It was an attack on our most intrinsic and cherished values as Canadians."
Since the incident, 27-year-old Laval University student Alexandre Bissonnette has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder.
NWT MP Michael McLeod took to Facebook to express his condolences.
"My thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims in Quebec City who were senselessly and violently attacked yesterday," stated his post. "I join our prime minister in condemning this terrorist attack on Muslims in their place of worship, a place where people should feel safe, welcome and at peace."
On Tuesday morning, the territorial government stated in a news release the Northwest Territories flags on all government buildings would be flown at half-mast. Yellowknife Education District No. 1, along with other agencies, also lowered their flags.
