National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia

Memorial for the six men who were killed in the 2017 attack, located near the mosque in Quebec City. Photo credit: Quebec City

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the Quebec City mosque attack, a tragedy that claimed six lives, injured many, and left a scar on Canadian history.  

We remember and honour the victims: Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, and Azzeddine Soufiane.  

This attack remains the deadliest mass murder in a Canadian house of worship. The Quebec mosque shooting was followed by a series of other violent attacks against Muslim communities across Canada, including the 2021 terrorist murder of London, Ontario’s Afzaal family. 

In December 2024, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights released Islamophobia on the rise: Taking action, confronting hate and protecting civil liberties together, a study on the rise of Islamophobia in Canada, featuring testimonies from community members and recommendations for action. 

Everyone in Canada has the right to practice their faith without fearing for their life. Rooting out Islamophobia and developing cultures of harmonious co-existence will take more than words; it demands meaningful action from individuals, communities, and institutions.

Mohammed Hashim, CEO, Canadian Race Relations Foundation

As we remember the Muslims whose lives were stolen in Canada over the past decade, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a country where everyone feels safe, valued, and free to practice their faith without fear.

In the next month, the CRRF is supporting Active Citizenship at the Margins: Civic Engagement in Precarious Times, an event hosted by OCASI, on February 13^th.