Events marking Quebec City mosque shooting anniversary to recall acts of solidarity

The events marking the anniversary of the deadly Quebec City mosque shooting will not only pay tribute to victims and their familiesbut also recall the acts of solidarity that followed, organizers say.

BoufeldjaBenabdallah, the vice-president of the Islamic Cultural Centre, said the activities will be an occasionto"remember the families, to remember the grief, to remember the joy brought by those who came to express empathy."

"It's also to reinforce our solidarity, to ask, 'What will we do tomorrow?' Because this hate is eating away at our society."

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Benabdallahand two other organizers werejoined by Mayor Rgis Labeaumein announcing plans for the anniversary.

The shooting left six men inside the Islamic Cultural Centre dead and several more injured, searing Jan. 29 into Quebec City's collective memory.

4 days of commemorative events

At the news conference, Benabdallahrecalled how he andSbastien Bouchard, who was part of the citizens group that organized avigil the day after the shooting, met at a restaurant and drew up a plan for this year's anniversary event on a napkin.

The events begin Friday, witha discussion about Islam at the Palais Montcalm, a concert hall on Place D'Youville. There will also be an opportunity for families of the victims to gather at the mosque in an intimate setting, closed to the public, and pray together that evening.

On Saturday, Universitde Laval students and staff are holding events around the theme of "living together," aimed at fostering a city and province more welcoming to diversecultures.

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Later that day, victims' families will address the public and media for the first time.

"They are still overtaken by anxiety every day, but they accepted to come and speak to the population," said Benabdallah.

On Sunday, there will be aspiritualgatheringorganized by First Nationsand people of various religious affiliations at Expo-Cit, in Quebec'sLimoilou district.

On Monday, a vigil will be held tocommemorate the anniversary of the tragedy.

Bouchard, who was also at the news conference,said it will be similar to the vigil held last year,near the mosque where the shooting happened.

"It's a moment that's important for the whole population because, too often, we hear messages of hate in the public arena, whereas occasions for messages of love, of living together, are rare," Bouchardsaid.

Montreal to commemorate victims at City Hall

The City of Montreal announced it will also hold a ceremony to commemoriatethe victims of the shooting and show solidarity with Quebec'sMuslims.

It will take place at Montreal City Hall Monday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

City Hall will remain open to the public until 4 p.m., to allow people to drop off messages of support for those wounded in the attack and the families of the men killed.

Mayor Valrie Plantewill be in attendanceand will travel to Quebec City to participate in othermemorial events, according to a news release from the city.

"It's time for meditation and solidarity with the victims' familiesand the whole Muslim community," Plante said in that statement.

Stay tuned for CBC's coverage of the anniversary, events and impact the mosque shooting has had one year later.