In only a few days, the sixth anniversary of the Quebec Metropolis Mosque capturing might be commemorated.
For some, it’s a painful reminder that Islamophobia exists and the rationale why Muslim Consciousness Week was created.
“Will it occur once more? Why did it occur within the first place?” requested Samaa Elibyari, an organizer of Muslim Consciousness Week.
“We notice that ignorance was the foundation trigger.”
The Quebec Metropolis Mosque capturing befell six years in the past.
A lone gunman, motivated by hatred, stormed into the Islamic Cultural Centre on Jan. 29, 2017, killing six individuals and wounding 19.
Muslim Consciousness Week was established within the aftermath of the tragedy.
Learn extra:
fifth anniversary of Quebec Metropolis mosque capturing marked with ceremonies
Learn subsequent:
‘Indignant’ protests should keep peaceable amid ‘powerful instances,’ Trudeau says
It’s a time when non-Muslim Quebecers are invited to get to know their neighbours.
“Get to know us, get acquainted with our achievements, aspirations and issues,” mentioned Elibyari.
The fifth version was launched Wednesday at Montreal Metropolis Corridor.
They are saying that by studying about them, individuals can debunk misconceptions and can find yourself discovering extra similarities than variations.
Organizers say consciousness is essential at a time when hate crimes towards Muslims are on the rise.
Based on Statistics Canada, hate crimes typically have elevated 72 per cent during the last two years.
In 2021, police-reported hate crimes focusing on the Muslim inhabitants went up 71 per cent.
“Girls really feel it extra as a result of they’re simply noticed, as a result of they put on the hijab, in fact,” mentioned Salam El-Mousawi, co-founder of Muslim Consciousness Week.
El-Mousawi says debates akin to Invoice 21, the province’s secularism legislation, instill concern and divide individuals.
Learn extra:
‘Good PR’: Why anti-hate consultants are urging politicians to step up vetting practices
Learn subsequent:
U.S. to ship 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as Germany breaks Leopard impasse
Among the many optimistic steps being celebrated: the federal authorities is appointing a particular consultant in control of combating Islamophobia, and town of Rimouski adopted its personal Muslim Consciousness Week.
“We’re right here to search out the options and to attempt to not proceed the human faults repeatedly,” mentioned Ali Sbeiti, Imam at Centre Communautaire Musulman de Montreal.
Montreal police say that anybody who believes they’re a sufferer of a hate crime or fears for his or her security can name 911, head to their neighbourhood station or report the incident on-line on the SPVM’s web site.
© 2023 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
