RCMP reassures the Muslim communities of BC their continued commitment to the safety of the public

On Jan 31st, Key Muslim Community members were invited at RCMP “E” Division Headquarters at 14200 Green Timbers Way, Surrey, for a meeting between the RCMP and community leaders. The meeting was a result from the unfortunate Terrorist Mosque Shooting on Sunday at Quebec City Islamic cultural centre where 6 people died as martyrs and several other worshipers were wounded. Mr. Jim R.D. Gresham, Assistant Commissioner and members of RCMP senior management team took the opportunity to meet with key members of the Muslim community, including Imams and cultural centre leaders from BCMA, Pakistan Canada Association, Az Zahra Islamic Center, Ahmadiyya Jama’at in Delta and Al Ihsan educational foundation in Surrey. The purpose of this meeting was to reassure the communities of the continued commitment to the safety of the public. During this important meet- ing, the members addressed community Security concerns around the tragic event in Quebec and implications to the Muslim community in British Columbia. The participants also discussed Education and some awareness and outreach initiatives as well as tips key to the identification and prevention of potential incidents were discussed. Mr. Gresham assured the community leaders saying that, “at the moment there are no significant terror related suspicions that they are aware of in BC.”The BC Muslim Association was truly thankful to the RCMP and Vancouver and Delta Police Department for their overwhelming support, leadership and direction at the most critical time. Br Daud Ismail, President of the BCMA said, “We are, indeed, grateful and very appreciative of their efforts and would like to say “THANK YOU” to all divisions on behalf of the Muslim community of British Columbia.” Br Haroon Khan on behalf of the board and trustees of the Pakistan Canada Association - Al Jamia Masjid Vancouver said, “we were heartened by the engagement of the RCMP with a wide cross section of the Islamic community here in the lower mainland. Our entire community remains vigilant and affirm to never close our doors to our friends and neighbours of every culture and religion. We will never give in to fear and intimidation. Our faith strengthens us in good times and bad.”