Continuing to take action against Islamophobia, in memory of the Quebec City Mosque Attack Victims

Today marks nine years since the tragic attack that took the lives of six Muslim men and injured 19 others in Quebec City, causing unimaginable grief to the entire Muslim community and to Canada as a whole. 

These nine years have been a time of reflection and a call to action. Yet hate-motivated attacks against Muslims in Canada have continued to rise. Between 2020 and 2024, police-reported hate crimes targeting Muslims increased by 173%. The 2021 terrorist murder of the Afzaal family in London, Ontario remains a devastating reminder of this reality. Since then, Muslim women have reported having their hijabs forcibly removed in targeted assaults, mosques have been vandalized, and a private home has been targeted in suspected hate-motivated arson.  

As part of its work with the National Hate Crimes Task Force and the Combating Hate Hub, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) works to counter Islamophobia and other forms of hate by strengthening training for law enforcement and Crown prosecutors, coordinating efforts across all levels of government, and deepening engagement with communities through dialogue, research, and education. By bringing police services, legal practitioners, and academic experts into the same conversation, we’re able to spot gaps in investigations, improve how victims are supported, and raise the quality of data and training. These collaborations have resulted in national tools that promote a more consistent, victim‑centred response to hate‑motivated incidents. 

Last year, the Office of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia launched the Together for Canada campaign, sharing the powerful stories of Canadian Muslims, and encouraging allyship.  

On the anniversary of the Québec City mosque attack, we honour the victims and their families and acknowledge the ongoing pain in our communities. Sadly, Muslims across Canada have continued to report experiences of harassment, hate speech, online abuse, vandalism, and violence. But many in this country have also refused to let hate define us; acts of solidarity and inclusion abound. As we remember those we lost, I remain hopeful that we will stand together for a Canada where everyone belongs.”

Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia 

To mark this National Day of Remembrance, the CRRF is honoured to have supported the Sisters Dialogue event, Same, Same but Different: Remembering, Reflecting, and Reclaiming. The event featured an art and photography exhibition and a short documentary highlighting the stories of four diverse Muslim women and their experiences of identity, belonging, and resilience. 

The CRRF remains committed to building a Canada where Muslims and all communities can feel safe, valued, and free to practice their faith without fear. 

In memory of the victims of the 2017 Quebec City Mosque Attack:  

• Mamadou Tanou Barry 

• Ibrahima Barry 

• Khaled Belkacemi 

• Aboubaker Thabti 

• Abdelkrim Hassane 

• Azzeddine Soufiane