In grief, we stand united
Re: “A scene of unspeakable brutality,” Jan. 31
Hearing the news of the mosque shooting in Quebec left me absolutely shocked and speechless. Innocent people were taken away from this world in the midst of prayers. This attack was extremely cruel and gutless. My heart goes out to the victims and their families.
I cannot bear to think what they must be going through. I am a Muslim and regularly go to my local mosque for prayers as well. That could have easily been me in the victims’ place.
It is heart-wrenching to see this kind of act take place on Canadian soil, a nation where values of pluralism and religious tolerance hold such strong presence. It is no question that true Canadians completely support these values. And I can positively say that the perpetrator of this attack will not succeed in dividing us. Diversity is indeed our strength and we will continue to stay united.
Fasih Malik, Calgary I could not have felt more horrified and saddened upon hearing of the attack on the Quebec mosque. I wholeheartedly commend Prime Minister Trudeau on expressing the nation’s sympathy. At times like these we have a unique opportunity to prevent future attacks by trumpeting the correct counter- narrative of terrorism: The grief our nation shares only stitches the Muslim community deeper into the fabric of our society. Far from dividing us, terrorists achieve naught but the opposite of their goal: unified solidarity.
Brendan Conway- Smith, Ottawa Tragedies get the front page because bad news sells papers. Small acts of kindness often go unreported, or are tucked away on the inside.
The morning after the Quebec City mosque shootings, a man set a bouquet of flowers beside the front door of the mosque in Vernon and quietly left. Later, a couple arrived with another bouquet. The lady slipped inside, the door now being unlocked, and quickly reappeared. As she and her partner were heading for their car, a mosque elder, who had arrived several minutes earlier, hurried out of the door to thank them.
For more than 10 minutes, the elder Muslim stood on the concrete steps in his bare feet, talking with that sympathetic couple.
Were these acts of kindness appreciated? Standing barefooted, indifferent to the freezing cold concrete, says it all. The thoughts behind these two floral gifts is certain to help the local Islamic congregation deal with the pain and anxiety created by that irrational, cruel and cowardly event in Quebec City.
Lloyd Atkins, Vernon, B. C.