Multi-faith ceremony in Quebec City calls for end to all forms of terror
Standing under a photo of Quebec City’s iconic skyline, Boufeldja Benabdallah closed a multi-faith ceremony Sunday evening with a tribute to the city he loves, and a call for peace.
“Six of our great friends died violently, taken by bullets shot from deadly weapons,” said Benadbadllah, who co-founded the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City’s Sainte-Foy neighbourhood, where six men were killed in an attack last year.
Benadbadllah echoed several other speakers at the ceremony in pleading for an end to violence and acts of terror.
“Let us not forget those who fell at Polytechnique, in the prime of their lives, who were on their way to build this nation, this country,” he said holding back tears as he spoke of the fourteen women killed in 1989 at a Montreal engineering school.
The ceremony is part of a series of events meant to mark Monday’s anniversary of the shooting. A vigil will be held near the mosque on Monday evening. Several dignitaries, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, are expected to attend.
Sunday’s multi-faith event, held in a large Quebec City arena, began with speeches from friends and relatives of the dead.
After paying tribute to her father, Khaled Belkacemi, Megda Belkacemi said acts of hatred had no place in Quebec society.
“It is through inclusive initiatives like this one, where all communities are gathered, that we will be able to build one united community,” she said.
Rachid Ben Amor described his friend Azzeddine Soufiane, a grocery-store owner, as a “merchant of happiness who left everyone smiling.” Read More …