The killings at a Quebec City mosque have hit Vernon’s Muslim community hard.
On Sunday night, six men were killed and 19 others were injured at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec.
“It’s an unfortunate tragedy,” said Muhammad William Saleh, a board member with the Vernon Muslim Association.
“People were just finishing their evening prayers there. Most of the time, we’re praying for peaceful homes and countries.”
Saleh describes Vernon has being very accepting, but he admits that the Quebec City incident may lead to the local mosque reviewing security measures.
“We’ve never had a problem,” he said.
“We try to be involved with local churches and organizations and promote the message of common unity.”
Premier Christy Clark says she was shocked and saddened by the shooting.“Like all houses of worship, mosques are sanctuaries of peace and reflection. There is no greater violation,” she said in a statement.“As Canadians, we must speak up in the face of rising intolerance and hatred. Those who would seek to divide us through fear prey on silence, but they will fail. We will continue to cherish our differences, and welcome the world to our shores.”
