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All faiths gather at local Mosque vigil

Feb 4, 2017 | 11:00 AM

Several dozen residents of different cultures and religions gathered at the Battlefords Mosque last night to show condolence for the six men killed in a Quebec City Mosque Sunday.

At the simple event people were invited to sign a book of condolences, join in prayers and say a few words of love and support to all those gathered at the Mosque.

Imams from Regina and Saskatoon made the trip for the vigil, and several public figures came to show support including town and city council members, RCMP Inspector John Sutherland and North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater.

Bater said people rarely expect such tragic events to occur so close to home.

“There’s probably a lot of people in Quebec City right now who thought the exact same thing a week ago,” Bater told attendees. “This tragedy happened to Canadians, in a Canadian city, a crime committed by a Canadian.”

“With the exceptions of the First Nations, every family that lives here came here with their own set of customs and traditions,” Bater said. “That’s what makes our community great. That makes up the cultural fabric of our community and our country. I am very proud to live in a place like that.”

Local Imam Hazif Imran Zaka said the turnout of Muslims and non-Muslims alike really warmed the hearts of their small religious community.

“After this incident, the turnout came, the people attended the ceremony. We were all feeling something. They were showing us that we are part of the community,” Zaka said.

“Tonight is not only for Muslims. This is the society of Canadians, Muslims, and Christians,” Zaka said. “We are all together in this hard time. We want to give this message to bad, evil forces: we are united and we will remain united.”

Zaka said it was bittersweet that the community came together at the Mosque for the first time under the tragic circumstances. When the Mosque has its grand opening this fall, Zaka said they will invite the community to gather there again.

 

Katheirne.svenkeson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ksvenkeson