Residents tell of their shock, fears
OTTAWA residents remain adamant that the Iman Hussain Mosque must shut down.
Andisha Maharaj said she believed the attackers were trying to put pressure on the mosque to close down and if it continued to operate she feared that residents would become the next targets.
“When we were displaced on Sunday night (after a bomb-like device was found) residents had no idea what to do or expect. Many left their homes and belongings with just the clothes on their backs,” Maharaj said. “This is a serious incident and what assurance do we have as a community that this will not happen again?”
Said father of three Amith Sirkar: “When I think about the turmoil in countries like Syria and how at any time bombs go off I feel scared. We don’t know who or what we are dealing with and nobody can guarantee our safety. The bomb went undetected since Thursday. How sure are we that there isn’t another one planted in the mosque?”
The 43-year-old said while he respected individuals’ rights to practise their religion it should not be at the risk of other people, especially children.
“On Sunday we were all in a panic trying to get out of the area and find accommodation for the night. It was a nightmare.”
Sunil Gopi, 46, who fled his home, said his family was living in fear.
“We live right next to the mosque and everything that has happened since Thursday has been something out of an action movie. It’s frightening to live like this, not knowing what’s going to happen next.”
Annie Munien, 43, said she was enjoying Mother’s Day with her children when security officers from Reaction Unit South Africa came to her home and informed them about the bomb. “When I heard the word ‘bomb’ I was in total shock. My youngest daughter was hysterical. She wanted to leave our home immediately. We ran out the house to find residents standing across the street scared.”
The mother of three said she would not feel safe if the mosque re-opened.