Quebec City to hold vigil on anniversary of fatal mosque shooting

One year after the Quebec City mosque shooting that killed six men, avigil and a Muslim prayer ceremonywill be held in honour ofthe victims.

Organizers say it will be an opportunity to show support for the victims' families and those traumatized by theJanuary 29 attack.

In the days leading up the vigil, two prayer ceremonies will be held in Quebec City.

On Jan. 26, 2018, a Muslim prayer ceremony will be held at the mosque where the shooting took place. This event will be closed to the public.

Two days later,amulti-faith prayer ceremony will be open to anyone who wants to attend. It will be held at theExpocitYouth Pavilion.

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On the actual anniversary, citizens are invited to participate in avigil where they will march to the site of the mosque in silence and place flowers and candles.

Mosqueco-founderBoufeldjahBenabdallahsays he hopes the commemorative events will help bring the community that much closer.

"We will remember, and pray to our Lord togive each ofus the compassion we need so that we can be stronger tomorrow," said Benabdallah.

A solemn occasion

The events will honour the memories of Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Azzeddine Soufiane, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane and Aboubaker Thabti who died when a shooter entered the mosque where they were attending evening prayers.

The men, all of whomwere fathers, left a total of 17 children.

Accused gunman Alexandre Bissonnettehas been charged withsixcounts of first-degree murder and five of attempted murder using a restricted firearm. He is currently awaiting trial.

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Quebec City Mayor Rgis Labeaumesaid the organizers of the event havethe full support of his administration and that he hoped the commemorations would help the city to heal.

"We hope these events will be carried out in a solemn fashion and that they will allow for remembrance, in honour of the six victims," he said. "Their memory will remain forever engraved on our collective memory."

During the announcement, Labeaumerefused to address how hate crimes that have targeted Muslims or recent marches in favour of a "secular Quebec" could affect the event preparations.

He said that there will be sufficient security measures in place and that police have already begun to plan.