By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
A diverse coalition of religious and community organizations gathered Wednesday evening at the Cathedral of Sherbrooke to mark the eighth anniversary of the Quebec City Mosque attack. The event, part of the National Day of Remembrance and Action Against Islamophobia, aimed to honour the victims and reaffirm a commitment to an inclusive society.
“We have a collective of nearly 12 organizations that have gathered for an inclusive Quebec, for an inclusive society,” said Mohamed Soulami, director general of Actions Interculturelles, on the scene. “It is our duty to commemorate this event and to say that we don’t want that anymore.”
On Jan. 29, 2017, six worshippers were killed and several others injured in an attack at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec. In response, the federal government officially designated the date as a national day of remembrance and action against Islamophobia in 2021. Now, the event organizers are calling on the Quebec government and the City of Sherbrooke to formally recognize it as well.
“We must contribute together to consolidate the values of solidarity, peace, and openness so that such tragedies never happen again in our society,” said Abdelilah Hamdache, one of the event’s speakers, in a related release.
The gathering at the cathedral reflected this spirit of unity, bringing together Muslim, Christian, and secular groups to denounce violence and promote coexistence. “Whatever religion, whatever culture, we are against violence,” Soulami said. “We are against massacres. We are for human life, for the respect of human life.”
The ceremony included speeches, moments of reflection, and a collective call for ongoing efforts to combat discrimination. “We must work to promote a country that is open and inclusive, where everyone can live fully and safely according to their convictions,” Soulami added.
The coalition behind the event, known as the Collectif pour un Québec inclusif, includes over a dozen organizations, such as the Islamic Cultural Centre of Sherbrooke, the Diocèse de Sherbrooke, and Plymouth Trinity United Church. Other organizers added they hope the commemoration serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance against hate and a commitment to a more united society.