Nadine Osman
Canadian Muslims have marked the anniversary of the 2017 Quebec City mosque shooting with renewed calls to confront Islamophobia, amid growing concern that hard-won progress in tackling anti-Muslim hatred is beginning to erode.
Residents, community advocates and minority leaders gathered in Montreal’s Pierrefonds borough to honour the six men killed in the attack on the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre — the deadliest assault on a place of worship in Canadian history.
On January 29, 2017, a gunman opened fire during evening prayers, killing Ibrahima Barry, Azzedine Soufiane, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry and Khaled Belkacemi. For many, the attack fundamentally altered their sense of belonging in a country long regarded as a haven of diversity and tolerance.
“That day changed how many of us saw Canada,” said Ola Shaheen of the Canadian Youth Development Centre. “The country we believed to be a place of safety and belonging suddenly felt far more fragile than we ever imagined.”
This year’s commemoration was held in collaboration with Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, who emphasised that remembrance must be matched by sustained efforts to tackle discrimination and hate.
Dr Kosar Khwaja, a trauma surgeon and critical care physician, warned that the momentum for change that followed the attack appears to have stalled. “I feel like we’re going backwards,” he said, cautioning that social divisions are once again deepening.
Prime Minister Mark Carney also marked the anniversary, paying tribute to those “brutally murdered in the Islamophobic attack”. In a statement, he said: “The horror of that day remains a solemn reminder of the pervasiveness of Islamophobia and the devastating consequences of hatred. It is our duty to match remembrance with responsibility — and to build a country where all Canadians can live openly, freely and safely.”
Carney acknowledged what he described as a “horrifying rise in hate and hate-motivated crimes” and said the government “stands with the Muslim community against hate”, pledging continued efforts to ensure Canadians of all faiths can thrive.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) noted on X that January 29 is officially recognised as the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia.
“Today, we remember. And remembrance drives us to action,” the organisation said. “Together, we recommit to taking action against violent Islamophobia.”
Concerns about a resurgence of anti-Muslim sentiment extend beyond rhetoric. Rights groups argue that certain provincial legislation disproportionately affects Muslim women and other religious minorities — an assertion rejected by the provincial government.
Brown said such measures send “a message to society that there’s something inherently dangerous or wrong with being a visible, practising Muslim”, warning that rhetoric from those in power can legitimise Islamophobia and contribute to real-world harm.
Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, told Al Jazeera the government remains committed to addressing hate through funding for community organisations and anti-extremism initiatives under a national action plan. However, she acknowledged the scale of the challenge.
“Whether it’s police-reported hate crimes, or Canadians telling us they’re experiencing discrimination at work and at school, the trend is clear,” she said. “Islamophobia is rising.”
Feature photo: The six victims of the 2017 Quebec City mosque attack, Ibrahima Barry, Azzedine Soufiane, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry and Khaled Belkacemi . (Photo: Archive/AA)
