Members of Quebec City mosque gather for prayers ahead of shooting anniversary

The first day of events honouring the anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting was capped off with prayers in the mosque that was the scene of the fatal Jan. 29, 2017 massacre.

The shooting left six men inside the Islamic Cultural Centre dead and several more injured.

Families of the victims and other Muslims gathered at themosque inSainte-Foyfor evening prayers at 7:30 p.m.

Mosque president Mohamed Labidithanked the assembled crowd for coming, and welcomed those who had come from Montreal and Toronto to show their support.

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Imam YoussoufFofanaled the service, marking the anniversary and calling for solidarity and reflection from the community.

"We're here today in this mosque, oneyear after the tragic event," he said."We couldn't have imagined that an act like this could happen in this country, especially inside a mosque."

Living together

The series of commemorative eventsbegan Friday morning with a discussion about Islamophobia, racism and the far-right in Quebec.

The seminar, called Living Together,attended by about 130 people,examined howthe perceptionof Muslims in Quebec has changedsince the Jan. 29, 2017 massacre.

One of the speakers,NazirGhali, led the prayers the night of theshooting.

Ghali cited studies conducted since the shooting whichshowa majority of Quebecersbelieve that by seeking religious accommodation, Muslims are sending a message thatthey don't want to integrate into Quebec society.

Another poll, he said, found that50 per cent of those surveyed would not mindif Muslim immigrants were discouraged from immigrating to Quebec.

Negative perceptionspersist

"Despite there being a certain openness from many Quebecers, there's still a negative perception," said Ghali, an economist.

Ghali said he believes thatperceptionisfuelled by a combination of factors. He said the fact that many religious Muslims can be identified byhow they are dressed makes it easier for them to be judged on their appearance.

He said as well, some politicians have sparkedidentity debates for electoral gain.

"Several parties succeeded in creating campaigns based on anti-Islam sentiment," he said.

Still, Ghali says, he has hope, helped by the outpouring of support for Quebec City's Muslim community that followed the shooting.

"Let us never forget that it took a tragedy for us to take a step forward in this learning," he said.

"Please, no more human sacrifice."

'Religion alone does not define me'

SamiraLaouni, the founder of C.O.R., an organization advocating for improved intercultural relations, said she is often labelled or discriminated againstbecause she wears a head scarf.

"Religion alone does not define me," Laouni said. "I am Canadian, aQuebecerof Muslim faith, a wife, a lover, a mother of four, one of whom has died.I have a doctorate from Sorbonne University.I'm an activist."

"The only difference between Islam and other religions is that you can see it."

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Events continue this weekend

On Saturday, the documentaryTaderniremarche da lamosquewill be shown atUniversitLaval at 1 p.m.

Later Saturday, the general public is invited to visit the mosque, where messages of sympathy and solidarity received over the past year will be on display. Families of the victims will be present and willaddress the public and media for the first time.

At 7 p.m. Sunday, there will be a spiritual gathering organized by First Nations and people of various religiousaffiliations atExpo-Cit, in Quebec'sLimoiloudistrict. Some members of the victims' families will speak, and there will be interfaith prayers and music.

A final homage will take place on Monday with a vigil to mark the anniversary of the tragedy. The public is invited to pay their respects to the families and the Muslim community starting at 6 p.m.

After the vigil, the public is welcome to leave flowers, candles or other mementosnear the mosque.