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January 29 marks nine years since a horrific act of Islamophobic violence took the lives of six Muslim men at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City. Their murders were a targeted attack on their place of worship, and an attack on the values of dignity, inclusion, and freedom that define Canada.
We honour the memory of:
Ibrahima Barry,
Azzeddine Soufiane,
Aboubaker Thabti,
Khaled Belkacemi,
Mohamed Belkacemi,
and Mamadou Tanou Barry.
This anniversary is a reminder that hate does not emerge in isolation. Islamophobia, racism, antisemitism, anti-Black racism, and all forms of bigotry are fueled by misinformation, political scapegoating, and the normalization of division. When these forces go unchallenged, they create real and deadly consequences.
This day is especially important as we continue to witness an alarming rise of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim violence during a time of increased division and political conflict.
Unifor is committed to building a country where everyone can live, work, and worship freely and safety. Our union rejects hatred in all its forms. We believe that solidarity is the most powerful antidote to hate and fear and that working people are strongest when we stand together across faiths, cultures, and communities.
Today, we remember. We grieve. And we recommit ourselves to action: confronting racism wherever it appears, supporting those targeted by hate, and building a Canada rooted in justice, compassion, and equality.
Unifor continues to call for the inclusion of anti-Islamophobia education in school curricula, workplaces, and community programs. By working together to instill understanding and tolerance, we can create a society where acts of violence cease to exist.
The lives lost on January 29, 2017 must never be forgotten. Their memory calls on all of us to choose solidarity over silence, and to work together to build a world free from hate.
Green Square Campaign
You can show your support by wearing a green square during the week leading up to January 29. Cut a square out of a piece of green fabric or felt and attach it to your garment with a small safety pin. The colour green represents the green carpet inside the mosque where the tragedy occurred. w
Take pictures wearing your green square or with this sign of support and email them to @emailor post on social media using the #Unifor hashtag.
Pictures should reflect the solemnity of the day of remembrance.
Learn more about the campaign and seven other ways you can stand against Islamaphobia at the National Council of Canadian Muslim’s website.
