THE NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE QUÉBEC CITY MOSQUE ATTACK AND ACTION AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA

January 22, 2024 - On January 29, 2017, the Islamic Cultural Centre of Québec City was subject to a tragic, hateful and Islamophobic crime. A gunman entered the place of worship and opened fire on the worshippers, killing Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry,
Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassan, Azzedine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti, and injuring many more. In 2021, the Federal Government declared January 29th as The National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action Against
Islamophobia, which serves as a reminder of the work we must do as a nation to eradicate Islamophobia, hate and racism in Canada. In honour of the memory of the victims, in recognition of those who selflessly and courageously put themselves in harm’s way to protect others, and in solidarity with the survivors of this tragedy, we mark this day by inviting each and every Canadian to stand with us by joining the Green Square Campaign from January 22-29: wear a green square in solidarity with the six widows, 17 fatherless children, and all those suffering the consequence of this and other violent acts of Islamophobia. Several local events are being organized by the Islamic Society of Kingston (ISK) and Muslim Societies, Global Perspectives (MSGP) at Queen’s University.

 January 22 – 29: Green Square Campaign. Wear a green square to remember the victims, show solidarity
with their families and stand against Islamophobia in all its forms. (Details at: www.greensquarecampaign.ca)
Locally, green squares will be available at the Islamic Centre of Kingston, and distributed to various
locations on Queen’s campus via the Office of the Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity and Inclusion).

 January 25 (6:00 pm on Zoom): What does Islamophobia look like TODAY? Discussion Panel hosted by
Dr. Adnan Husain (Queen’s University) and guests Dr. Hatem Bazian (U.C Berkeley), Dr. Dana Olwan
(Syracuse University), Dr. Ariel Salzmann (Queen’s University).
Facebook Event page https://www.facebook.com/events/2039489323094231/?ref=newsfeed

 January 29 (dusk until dawn): Illumination of City Hall in Green to commemorate the seventh
anniversary of the shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Québec City and remember the victims of this
and other violent acts of Islamophobia.

 January 29 (6:00-7:30 pm): Prayers for Peace & Remembrance for Victims of the Québec City Mosque
Attack. Members of the interfaith community will join to share prayers to remember the victims. Hosted by
the Islamic Society of Kingston at the Islamic Centre of Kingston (1477 Sydenham Road). It is hoped that
following this event, attendees will go to City Hall together to view its illumination in green.

 January 31 (6:30 pm): “Je me souviens” An Evening with the Artist Aquil Virani. A presentation from
the artist who created the commemorative portrait series honouring the victims of the Québec City Mosque
Attack. Watson Hall Room 517 (49 Bader Lane). Hosted by MSGP. For questions, please contact the artist
at 514-677-4137 or aquilvirani@gmail.com; or Dr. Karabela at karabela@queensu.ca.
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/759240169559395/?ref=newsfeed