SASKATOON – Muslims across Canada are condemning the attacks on Parliament Hill this week, including the ones in Saskatchewan.
Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community held a solidarity rally in front of Saskatoon’s city hall to show support for the fallen soldiers and stand in solidarity with Canadians to condemn the attacks in Canada and abroad.
Rally-goers held signs saying ‘love for all, hatred for none’ and ‘we support our troops’, among other messages.
“We are gathering here today just to show the rest of Canadians that as much as they are affected by the recent events, so are Muslims,” said Nasser Malik, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community president.
Malik said the recent attacks have left thousands of community members deeply saddened.
“Our beloved country is attacked, and at the same time, our beloved religion has been hijacked by these terrorists,” he said.
During the rally, people wore red and waved Canadian flags in support of freedom and democracy.
President of the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan Omaer Jamil said they have taken some extra precautions to make sure members of the Islamic community are safe. This comes after a mosque in Cold Lake, Alta. was vandalized this week.
“We are in touch with the authorities, with the police, just to make sure nothing escalates and we don’t have problems,” Jamil explained.
The rally participants were not all Muslim. Jewish and Christian leaders, as well as others attended.
“It’s about coming together as neighbours, as citizens. It’s not just up to (the Muslim community) to express that solidarity. We should all do that,” said rally attendee Don Kossick.