Statement: National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia

Six years ago, the world lost six bright lights in a horrific attack at Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec in Quebec City. Today, on National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against islamophobia, we remember those lives lost, express solidarity with survivors, and recommit to fighting Islamophobia in all its forms.

Islamophobia is a painful, harsh, daily reality for many members of our community. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, hate crimes against Muslims in Canada rose 71% in 2021. This is unacceptable and we must all work together to end hate in all its forms.

Today and every day, we need to identify and address discrimination and hatred and work together to build a U of G community where everyone belongs. It takes each and every one of us to prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion and demand a culture of safety and respect.

So today, I encourage you to take a moment to mourn those lives lost and to learn more about building equitable and inclusive communities for all of us. At the Office of Diversity of Human Rights, we have trainings and educational resources that explore inclusion, anti-oppression, and anti-discrimination principles and provide tips on how to implement them into our daily lives. No matter our background or experiences, we all have a part to play in building inclusive, welcoming environments for all members of our global family. Let’s work together to create a strong U of G community where everyone belongs.

-Indira Naidoo-Harris

Associate Vice-President, Diversity & Human Rights