Muslim groups want government to help stop racism, Islamophobia
Posted February 8, 2017 9:39 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – Muslim groups across Canada are calling on local, provincial and federal governments to take action to fight racism and Islamophobia. The call comes in the wake of the deadly attack at a Quebec mosque which left six people dead.
These groups want governments on all levels to use the tragedy to take concrete steps in countering racism in all its forms.
Sabrina Sassi a member of the Sainte-Foy Muslim community, where the shootings took place, and she says she doesn’t want to see similar attacks on her faith or others. “It tears my heart to know that what you used to be a sanctuary for us, for our youth, for our children can now be a place of killing.”
Dozens of groups have signed on to a letter calling on the government to do something and soon. They’re asking for cities to boost police training on hate crimes and to increase outreach to communities. They also want provinces to create an anti-racism directorate and mandatory anti-racism courses for high school students. The organizations are also hoping the federal government support a motion to study ways to reduce or eliminate systemic racism.
They say these steps need to be taken immediately to help stamp out hatred in communities nation-wide.
Late last month, six men were killed and more than one dozen others were injured after being shot during evening prayers at a mosque in Quebec City.
The suspect connected to the shooting is 27-year-old Alexandre Bissonnette who has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and five of attempted murder.
