“Cut a green square of paper and wear it to your jacket, change your profile picture to green, or write a green letter.” These are some of the initiatives the National Council of Canadian Muslims used while announcing the plan to mark the fifth anniversary of the Quebec Mosque Massacre on January 29th.
“The Green Square Campaign takes place in the week leading up to January 29th every year to remember the victims and survivors of the Quebec City mosque attack,” National Council of Canadian Muslims wrote on the group’s website.
“The green square represents the green carpets of the Quebec City mosque, where the victims last stood to pray. It symbolizes the fact that the deceased are, God willing, in a green garden, in a better place since they left us that night.
“Wear the green square in solidarity with the six widows, the seventeen children left fatherless, Aymen Derbali who is left paralyzed for life, and every single person suffering the consequences of this hateful and despicable act of violence.”
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Five years ago, a Canadian gunman opened fire at a Quebec City mosque on the evening of January 29, 2017.
The victims were Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti, who were killed shortly after finishing evening prayers.
Alexandre Bissonnette, the man responsible for the Quebec City mosque shooting, received a life in prison sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Solidarity
The Green Square Campaign found support from many Canadian bodies including Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
“CUPE recognizes January 29 as the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia,” the union wrote on its website.
“On the fifth anniversary of this Islamophobic attack, it is important to take the time to reflect on why the massacre took place. As difficult as this may be, we must recognize the reality that Canada is not immune to hate, division and racism. The number of police-recorded hate crimes, according to Statistics Canada, remains high compared to recent years.
“CUPE members and allies are encouraged to continue to speak out against Islamophobia and all forms of racism and discrimination.”
On the other hand, the Town of Whitby will recognize Jan. 29 as a Day of Remembrance of the Quebec mosque massacre of 2017.
Whitby town council passed the motion to honor the memory of the six worshippers who were killed at the mosque five years ago, Durham Region reported
Coun. Maleeha Shahid, the only Muslim member of council, expressed her feelings on the motion.
“I just want to mention it is the Town of Whitby who has always been there for the people who suffered. This is a testament of our town. I hope we never have to see six families suffer in one day or suffer around the world. We stand in solidarity with all the people who have lost family members that day,” Shahid said.