Designating January 29 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia
The Muslim Association of Canada has signed with 75 other Muslim organization from across Canada calling for the Prime Minister to designate January 29 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia. These signatories represent national organizations, advocacy groups, Mosques and community centers, think tanks, social services and relief organizations that span from British Columbia to Newfoundland.
Re: Designating January 29 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia
January 19, 2021
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A2
We are collectively writing to you regarding the fourth anniversary of the January 29th mass shooting that took place on January 29, 2017, at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City.
Each year the Canadian Muslim community remembers the lives of Azzedine Soufiane, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mohamedou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Aboubaker Thabti, and Khaled Belkacemi who were brutally gunned down after their evening prayers.
Hate crimes against Muslims rise each day, and at an even more alarming rate during the pandemic. For four consecutive years, Canadian Muslim organizations have called on your office to deliver the final recommendation made in the M103 report by the Ministry of Heritage. To date, this recommendation has not been implemented.
Major cities Montreal, Pierrefonds, Markham, Toronto, Hamilton, London, Windsor, Brampton, and Vancouver are among others across Canada that have already designated January 29th as a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia.
This decision is far overdue. In fact, designating January 29th as a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia should have been the first step in responding to the Quebec shooting. Delivering on this recommendation this year would reaffirm the government’s commitment to countering Islamophobia.
There are multiple priorities pending when it comes to government action to combat racism and hate against Canadian Muslims. Such priorities include addressing the rise of white supremacy and other far-right groups, designating hate groups who are a threat to our national security as terrorist groups, and overcoming systemic racism in government institutions, security and law enforcement.
Prime Minister, you have shown exceptional leadership on speaking against Islamophobia here in Canada and abroad. The M103 report was an unprecedented step by your government with well-thought-out recommendations.
We, the undersigned, appeal to you today. As leading Canadian organizations who serve citizens across the country each day on a wide array of critical issues and aspects of life we reiterate the voices of Canadians who have called for you to designate January 29th specifically a “National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia.
National
Canadian Association of Muslim Woman in Law
Canadian Council of Imams
Canadian Muslim Civil Liberties Association
Canadian Muslim Forum
Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association
Human Concern International
ICNA Canada
International Development and Relief Foundation
Islamic Relief Canada
ISNA Canada
Justice For All Canada
Muslim Association of Canada
The Canadian Muslim Vote
The Institute for Religious and Socio-Political Studies
Think for Actions
Quebec
Al Rawdah Mosque (Montreal)
AJYAL Génération Libano-Canadienne (Montréal)
Canadian Institute of Islamic Civilization (Quebec City)
Centre Aman (Laval)
Centre Communautaire Laurentien (Montréal)
Centre Communautaire Musulman de Montréal (Montréal)
Centre Communautaire Villeray (Montréal)
Centre Islamique de l’Outaouais (Gatineau)
La Mosquée Al Ansar (City of Laval)
MAC Islamic Centre of Verdun (Verdon)
MAC Quebec Information Center (Quebec City)
Newfoundland
Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John’s)
Ontario
Afghan Canadian Jaffari Cultural Centre (Toronto)
Al Huda Institute (Mississauga)
Anatolia Islamic Centre (Mississauga)
Arab Canadian Council (Oakville)
Assunnah Muslims Association – Masjid ar-Rahmah (Ottawa)
Baitul Hamd Mosque (Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Mississauga) (Mississauga)
Dar Al-Tawheed (Mississauga )
Dar Foundation (Oakville)
Dawanet (Mississauga)
Halton Islamic Association (Burlington)
Hikma Public Affairs Council (London)
Islam Care Center (Ottawa)
Islamic Center of Waterloo (Waterloo)
Islamic Centre of Cambridge (Cambridge)
Islamic Community Centre of Ontario (Mississauga)
Islamic Institute of Toronto (Toronto)
Islamic Society of Ajax (Ajax)
Islamic Society of Cumberland – Masjid Bilal (Cumberland)
Islamic Society Of Gloucester (Gloucester)
Islamic Society of Kingston (Kingston)
Kanata Muslim Association (Kanata)
Kitchener Waterloo Masjid (Kitchener)
MAC Hespeler Masjid (Waterloo)
MAC Hyde Park (London)
MAC Islamic Center Ottawa (Ottawa)
MAC Noor Gardens (London)
MAC Westmount Centre (London)
Masjid Aisha (Guelph)
Masjid Toronto at Adelaide (Toronto)
Masjid Toronto at Dundas (Toronto)
Muslim Association of Hamilton (Hamilton)
Muslim Association of Whitby (Whitby)
Muslim Council of Greater Hamilton (Hamilton)
Muslim Council of Peel (Mississauga)
Ottawa Muslim Association (Ottawa)
Palestinian Canadian Congress (Ottawa)
Rose City Islamic Centre (Windsor)
The Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario (London)
Manitoba
Manitoba Islamic Association (Winnipeg)
Saskatchewan
Islamic Association of Saskatchewan ( Regina)
Regina Huda School (Regina)
Alberta
Al-Salam Centre (Calgary)
Cold Lake Mosque (Cold Lake)
MAC Islamic Center – Rahma Mosque (Edmonton)
British Columbia
Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre (Vancouver)
International Muslim Academy of Canada (Surrey)
MAC Centre Vancouver (Vancouver)
Muslim Food Bank and Community Services Society (Vancouver)
Pakistan Canadian Women’s Society (Burnaby)
Whiterock Muslim Association (Surrey)
