It was a reflection of unity and strength last night at the University of Toronto (U of T).
Hundreds braved the frigid temperatures (which felt like -12C) to gather on campus for a vigil to honour the six people killed during Sunday’s Quebec City mosque shooting and to show their love for the Muslim community. Five people hurt in the shooting remain in hospital.
The Quebec shootings are a chilling reminder – and frankly, a wake-up call – that we are not immune to such violence that increasingly characterizes the landscape south of the border.
But the vigil was also a reminder of the strength and comfort offered in human unity.
“A lot of people have reached out to make sure we’re okay and to offer support,” said Dalia Hashim, president of the university’s Muslim students’ association, according to CBC. “That gives me hope that what we saw yesterday is not something that the rest of the community agrees with or condones.”
People of all religious beliefs gathered at the university, including leaders of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. Also in attendance was Toronto Mayor John Tory, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau, U of T professors, students and other officials.
Tory thanked the crowd, who had joined him in unity to “convey that message that you are loved” to the city and the country’s Muslim community.
“They’re an important part of what has built up this city,” said Tory, according to CBC. “They are people of faith, people of family, people who are wonderful citizens and very much a part of the fabric of this great city.”
Rev. Dawn Leger said that the night was about offering support to Muslim “friends and neighbours” as much as it was to collectively mourn and grieve.
A simultaneous gathering was expected to go down at Ryerson University, but the two schools decided to join forces in their memorials after an overwhelming level of support. Meanwhile, the shooting has resulted in increased security at the country’s Islamic religious and education institutions.
In such times, we can’t lose sight of initiatives like this and others that remind us of the goodwill and humanity in the world.
Cover Image: CBC
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