Muslim community gathers to pray for crash victims
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at chapters honour Broncos: “We grieve with you.”
A sombre mood prevailed as members of Saskatoon’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community entered the Baitur Rehmat Mosque in Saskatoon for a prayer gathering to honour the Humboldt Broncos on Friday.
Walking by flags lowered to half-staff and a row of hockey sticks leaning against the front of the building, youth congregation members wore vests they designed in tribute to the Broncos, while others wore pins emblazoned with Ahmadiyya’s slogan: Love for all, hatred for none.
Saskatoon imam Shakoor Ahmad said the tragedy, which killed 16 people when the Humboldt Broncos’ bus collided with a transport truck on April 6, has shaken the Muslim community.
“Our heart goes out to those who are affected. We want to show our support, (however) we can.”
Friday’s prayer service was one of many held in all of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada’s 72 chapters.
Lal Khan Malik, the national president, officiated at the vigil in Saskatoon, which welcomed about 100 members. He said the congregation wanted to express sympathy and solidarity with everyone affected.
“It was a total shock. We couldn’t believe so many young lives … would have such a sudden end.”
Ahmad visited Humboldt earlier in the week and spent time with Mayor Rob Muench to offer support on behalf of Saskatoon’s congregation.
“We (told him): ‘If you need anything, we are here to help.’ ”
Zaed Dar, president of the mosque’s youth association, organized a group carrying hockey sticks in honour of the Broncos at Friday’s vigil.
“The main reason for being here is to show our pain and respect towards the Bronco brothers,” Dar said.
As soon as news of the accident was released, congregation members were encouraged to donate blood, he added.
“It’s hard to explain the pain and the grief that everybody is feeling. It’s not just the Broncos as one team; it’s the community as a whole and the parents — what they had to go through. One cannot imagine the pain and suffering they’re going through.”
During the prayer service, Malik emphasized the congregation’s support for victims and their families.
“The Muslim community is here for you: as neighbours, friends, fellow Canadians. We grieve with you.”
Following the service, Malik, Dar and other Ahmadiyya members travelled to Humboldt to show their solidarity, and to “(share in) this grief of the tragedy with the families affected,” Malik said.
“We just hope and pray that God will give them patience to go through this and all the wounded ones recover completely as soon as possible,” Dar added.