City residents gathered under the roof of one of the churches of Winnipeg to show that they did not forget what happened 2 years ago.
On Tuesday, Winnipeggers marked the 2nd anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting and remembered people who died on that terrible day. About thirty people took part in the meeting to show their respect.
Shahina Siddiqui, the head of the Islamic Social Services Association in Winnipeg, said that they devoted that day not only to those who became victims two years ago but also to people who face hatred all over the world.
"I thought it was a good way to come together to remember and honour the victims, but also to pledge — to pledge as Winnipeggers that we are going to cleanse our community of hate and fear and bigotry," - Shahina Siddiqui said.
Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont and several other officials were present at the ceremony.
Recall that on January 29, 2017, a man entered a mosque and opened fire. A year later, he admitted his guilt in killing 6 people and inflicting heavy bodily harm to 5 more people. Siddiqui noted that the situation had not changed for the better even after two years.
"This is not just a Muslim issue. It is an issue that goes to the heart of our country, to the heart of our province,"- she said. "We stand together against hate no matter who the target is and who is the perpetrator, because we see that what happened in the Quebec mosque was the ultimate that hate can do, right? So it's beyond words. Now it is into action, and we have to stop it."
The woman added that she was very glad to see that people were ready to leave their homes and to show their support despite the freezing weather. It proved that love lives in people's hearts.
"It shows that there is a commitment. It shows that this city has a heart and it has a soul," said Siddiqui.
She invites people from different communities to unite and become allies. The Islamic Social Services Association in Winnipeg organizes various events that are dedicated to the fight for peace.
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