Councillor Neethan Shan to introduce motion to declare January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia

During January’s City Council meeting, Councillor Neethan Shan will introduce a motion declaring January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia in the City of Toronto.

“The national tragedy that occurred last January should serve to remind us all of the impact that Islamophobia, racism and bigotry can have on the lives of people,” said Councillor Shan. “As a city that considers diversity its greatest strength and defining feature, it is at times like these that we need to come together to reject hate and bigotry in all its forms. This motion will give us the chance to do so by commemorating and reflecting on the lives lost while presenting an opportunity for community members to take action against Islamophobia and Islamophobic violence in our city and the country.”

The motion also calls on the provincial and federal governments to designate January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia. Many prominent Muslim Canadian organizations have already made the request of the federal government.

January 29, 2018, marks the one year anniversary of the hate motivated attack by a gunman on the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec, a mosque where men, women and children were gathered for night prayers in Quebec City.  During the attack, six men—Ibrahima Barry, Azzedine Soufiane, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry, and Khaled Belkacemi—were murdered and 19 were wounded. One of the survivors— Aymen Derbali—remains paralyzed.

Councillor Shan will also be requesting a moment of silence for the victims of the attack at this year’s January Council.