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Hamilton Recognizes Day of Remembrance on Islamophobia

HAMILTON – The Canadian city council of Hamilton has recognized January 29 as the Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia, the day marking the first anniversary of the Quebec mosque shooting in which six worshippers were killed.

“With this motion, we are standing together against Islamophobia, hatred, and intolerance,” stated Councilor Matthew Green, Muslim Link reported Wednesday.

“There is a pernicious hatred that has spread across the country caused by Islamophobia that has festered into targeted violence against the Muslim community and sadly the City of Hamilton is no exception.

On September 14, 2016, there was an “attempted firebomb” at the Ibrahim Jame Mosque in Ward 3. “We came together then to unequivocally denounce these attack,” Green said.

The day is designated to commemorate the terrorist attack on the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec.

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The Hamilton City Council’s decision follows a call from the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) to have this date recognized at the national level.

The motion gained support from voices representing diverse faith communities.

“On January 29th, 2017 the right to pray peacefully was shattered when a gunman opened fire at Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec, a mosque in Quebec City,” said Gustavo Rymberg, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Hamilton.

“It is our duty to work to ensure that everyone has the right to safely practice their faith, free from discrimination.

“We stand with our Muslim sisters and brothers against Islamophobia. This motion is part of a national campaign which helps to commemorate those lives lost and look toward a more tolerant future,” he added.