The imam at the Masjid al-Salaam and Education Centre in Burnaby is encouraging the local Muslim community not to give into fear after a deadly shooting at a Quebec City mosque.
“This was an isolated incident. It was an act of cowardice. We should still be strong as a community and stand united, and show individuals likes this that we’re not going to be scared of them,” said Yahya Momla.
The shooting happened during evening prayers Sunday night. More than 50 people were at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre when shots were fired, killing six people and injuring 19 others, according to media reports.
Police arrested two suspects after the shooting. But on Monday, authorities said only one of the men was a suspect while the other was a witness. The alleged gunman is 27-year-old Alexandre Bissonnette, who has been charged with six counts of first degree murder and five counts of attempted murder.
Momla learned of the tragedy on social media while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the B.C. Muslim Association at a banquet hall in Surrey.
“It’s very disturbing. It seems that we have always known that bigots and racists exist in our society, but for the most part, they’ve always been on the sidelines,” he told the NOW.
The new Donald Trump administration seems to be “empowering and emboldening this individuals,” said Momla.
He noted while local Muslims are more vigilant than normal after what many are calling an act of terrorism, they are not scared.
“The community understands this is an isolated incident and we understand this is not the sentiment of Canadian people. ... My message would be not to be afraid and to come out in large numbers to your places of worship and move on with your lives. That would be the most powerful message we could send.”
Momla said his organization will be contacting the Quebec City mosque this week to offer its support.
Meanwhile, half a dozen people gathered outside the Masjid al-Salaam and Education Centre Sunday evening in solidarity. Among the group was New Westminster resident Trudi Goels, who wanted to do something.
Even though the event was small, she said it was more than she ever expected.
“A lot of people were reading the sign that we had that said “Stronger Together.” They were honking their horns, waving at us, giving us a thumbs up. A gentleman stopped his car, got out, came over and thanked us. He was Ismaili Muslim. He was on his way to work. He’s lived in Canada for 30 years and he said this meant something to him,” Goels explained, adding Momla also came to offer thanks.
“It was good to see how many people cared,” she said.
Goels, whose kids attend Byrne Creek Community School, added she’s a little nervous right now given Trump’s new immigration ban. The executive order bars citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. for the next 90 days and suspends admission of all refugees for 120 days.
Goels told the NOW her kids are scheduled to go on a band trip to the U.S. in April, and because of what has unfolded in the last week, she emailed the school to ask if the destination could be changed to a domestic one.
“With such a diverse population of the school, I feel like we shouldn’t go to a country where all of our students aren’t welcomed,” she said. “This is pure racism and it’s horrifying. We all need to take action, whatever it looks like.”
Burnaby RCMP, meanwhile, intend to increase its presence at the city’s five mosques.
“We have continued an increased presence in and around various mosque locations in Burnaby, and we also ask for continued vigilance, and ask that if anyone sees anything suspicious to contact the police,” said Cpl. Daniela Panesar.
