{"id":87747,"date":"2017-02-02T21:38:49","date_gmt":"2017-02-03T02:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=87747"},"modified":"2017-02-02T21:38:49","modified_gmt":"2017-02-03T02:38:49","slug":"trudeau-says-all-of-canada-shaken-by-brutal-and-hateful-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2017\/02\/02\/trudeau-says-all-of-canada-shaken-by-brutal-and-hateful-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"Trudeau says all of Canada shaken by ‘brutal and hateful’ attack"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Trudeau<\/a>
Trudeau says all of Canada shaken by ‘brutal and hateful’ attack (PMO photo<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MONTREAL\u2014A brutal massacre at a Quebec City mosque has left Canada reeling in shock but also unified the country in solidarity with the Muslim community, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday at a funeral service for three of the six men killed in the attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is with a heavy heart that we come together this afternoon to grieve the loss of these innocent lives. But as a community and as a country, together we will rise from this darkness stronger and more unified than ever before\u2014that is who we are,\u201d he told the solemn crowd.<\/p>\n

Abdelkrim Hassane, Khaled Belkacemi and Aboubaker Thabti were devoted fathers who worked hard to ensure their families had a bright future\u2014a dream Canadians across the country have known and shared for generations, Trudeau said.<\/p>\n

Several thousand mourners packed the Maurice-Richard Arena to pay their respects to the three men, whose caskets were draped in wreaths and the flags of their homelands.<\/p>\n

Thabti, 44, was a pharmacist of Tunisian origin who had three children; Belkacemi, a 60-year-old father of two, was from Algeria and was a professor at Universite Laval; and Hassane, 41, was from Algeria. He was a father of three and worked in information technology for the provincial government.<\/p>\n

There were also prayers at the service for the three other victims\u2014Azzeddine Soufiane, Mamadou Tanou Barry and Ibrahima Barry.<\/p>\n

All six were fathers, \u201clike me, like us,\u201d said Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard. \u201cThey were sons and brothers and uncles _ like me, like us. Friends, coworkers, like us. They were us. They were loved, appreciated, respected, and they always will be. We won’t forget them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to tell Muslim Quebecers: you’re at home here, we are all Quebecers,\u201d he said to thunderous applause and cheers.<\/p>\n

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre blamed the deaths on \u201cslamophobic and racist thoughts,\u201d and urged Canadians to stamp out intolerance in their ranks.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe time has come to ensure that after these tragic and terrible events, that we will combat all extremism in any form and that we will be there for all citizens and protect their fundamental freedoms\u2014freedom of religion and conscience\u2014so that anyone can fulfil their destiny in safety and security,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The support shown in the wake of the shooting shows that \u201cthe Quebecois community is a unified community,\u201d said Mohamed Yangui, president of the Islamic Centre of Quebec.<\/p>\n

But the tragedy has also highlighted the need for greater understanding of Muslims around the world, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey must understand that we as Muslims, as moderate Muslims, we are not terrorists. We are not the terrorists,\u201d he said. \u201cWe practise a form of Islam…that means we are full-fledged and solid members of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume was also among those who spoke to the mourners. Another ceremony is expected in Quebec City on Friday.<\/p>\n

Fazle Ahmad, who waited patiently outside the hockey arena for the doors to open, said before going in that \u201cthis terrorist act has tarnished\u201d Canada’s good image.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to show that Canada is (like) a big family … I hope that we will make our country much better than before,\u201d said Ahmad, who works at Montreal’s Khadijah Centre.<\/p>\n

Asma Qureshi and Assad Khan brought their young children to the funeral, believing the experience of seeing the community come together would be beneficial to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also want to show that a few bad apples in the community are not going to bring us apart,\u201d said Qureshi. \u201cAnd for the kids to see as well that we get together for times like this and how beautiful this community is and that we’re there for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bright light in the tragedy is how Canadians have reacted and come together, she said.<\/p>\n

The six victims, aged between 39 and 60, were killed when a gunman stormed the mosque and opened fire on men who were attending prayer. Authorities have refused to specify what type of firearm was used in the mass shooting.<\/p>\n

Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, was arrested Sunday night following the massacre in which 19 people were also wounded, including two who were still in critical condition on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Bissonnette has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and five of attempted murder using a restricted firearm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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