By: Imtiaz Popat
The City of Vancouver marks the third anniversary Quebec Mosque Massacre tomorrow with a proclamation at the Al-Jamia Mosque on 8th Ave in Vancouver, the oldest Mosque in BC. A motion my Councillor Jean Swanson last week to officially designate this day of “Remembrance and Day of Action Against Islamophobia,” Such a motion was also passed by several cities in Ontario last year. The prayer vigil will take place at the Al-Jamia Mosque at 7 pm after prayers.
“While Canadians and media may have forgotten the Quebec Mosque Massacre, the Canadian Muslim communities are still dealing with it,”says Imtiaz Popat from the Coalition Against Bigotry – Pacific. Racist materials were found at an East Vancouver last weekend.
‘’This motion is historic for Muslim communities. We continue to feel the residual effects of the violent Islamophobia and white supremacy that took the beloved lives of Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, and Azzedine Soufiane on January 29, 2017. When an act of such hatred is committed, the impact is intergenerational and long-lasting,’’ says Amal Rana from the Interfaith Institute for Justice, Peace and Social Movements who also serves on the City of Vancouver Racial Enthno -Cultural Equity Advisory Committee.
“We hope that in designating this day, the City of Vancouver will make a commitment to develop a policy and action to fight Islamophobia and all other forms of bigotry,’’ says Popat.
‘’My thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones, in particular the children. I hope this marks the beginning of an intentional and sustained commitment by the city to combat Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism in all its forms while creating a space for collective remembrance. In doing this work, we must always remember we cannot combat any form of structural discrimination without first and foremost centering the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous people fighting to protect their unceded lands,’’ says Rana,
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS
On January 29, 2017, a white gunman entered the Islamic Cultural Centre mosque in Quebec City and opened fire on dozens of Muslim worshipers;
WHEREAS
By the time the shooting had ended, six people had been tragically killed and 19 more were injured: Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, and Azzedine Soufiane lost their lives that night;
WHEREAS
Muslim communities across Canada were, and continue to be, affected by this and other acts of hate, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia—including the anti-Islam rally planned for August 19, 2017, outside Vancouver City Hall;
WHEREAS
To commemorate January 29, Muslim communities in Vancouver have held vigils, discussions, and other events, including an annual vigil during evening prayers at the Vancouver Al-jamia Mosque on 8th Ave, which is the oldest mosque in BC;
WHEREAS
The cities of Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Hamilton, and Windsor have all designated January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia. Many municipalities across Canada commemorate the events of January 29 with their Muslim community partners, and there is a nation-wide campaign for the federal government to recognize the day nationally;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
THAT Council proclaim January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia
