Sask. Muslim community receives support from wider community

Members of the Muslim community in Saskatoon grieved together during Friday prayers, trying to come to terms with the murder of 49 people in two New Zealand mosques that occurred hours before.

Worshippers gathered at the Saskatoon Islamic Centre, where they had been in prayer on Thursday evening when they heard that a gunman had attacked the mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“I fear for the future of my children and grandchildren,” Islamic Association member Hanan Elbardouh said. “Canada, New Zealand, Australia. We as immigrants came here to spend our futures in peaceful countries, and here we are … It’s devastating.”

However, the community found solace in gathering on Friday and seeing the shows of support from others in Saskatoon.

Elbardouh said people brought letters of support, cards and flowers throughout the day.

“That what makes us feel stronger,” she said. “We definitely feel the support.”

Saskatoon police maintained a presence at several places of Muslim worship on Friday to help the community feel more at ease after the massacre, though there was no specific threat made to the mosques.

Police Chief Troy Cooper attended Friday prayers at the Islamic Centre as a show of community support.

“I want them to be able to see that we have that relationship … that they know we’re there and we care about them as community members,” he said.

However, Elbardouh feared the shows of solidarity wouldn’t be enough to prevent violence from people who hate Muslims.

“Islamophobia needs to be declared as a hate crime,” she said. “It exists in peaceful places like Saskatoon, and bigger places like Quebec and Ontario.”

Premier condemns attack, Islamophobia

Premier Scott Moe expressed his condolences to the Saskatchewan Muslim community and victims of the New Zealand attack at a separate event on Friday.

“There’s no place for Islamophobia, there’s no place for racism or actions like this in this province, in this nation or in this world,” he said.

When asked if Islamophobia was present in Saskatchewan, he admitted there were individuals who likely held anti-Muslim views.

“There may be people that would have Islamophobic tendencies or thoughts, but there’s no place for that here,” he said.

“We are one people in this province, we are neighbours in our communities … and let’s treat one another with precisely the respect we expect to be treated with.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker