'An exceptional night': Quebec City mosque hosts solidarity dinner

The Quebec City mosque targeted by a lone gunman this past January hosteda "dinner of hope" to honour the victims of the deadly shooting and show solidarity with their families.

About 300 peoplegathered Friday eveningat ahotel in theSainte-Foyneighbourhood for the event that was organized bythe Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre.

Family members of the men who died in the shooting attended, as did some men who were injured.

Several public officials, such as Quebec City Mayor Rgis Labeaume and federal MP Jean-Yves Duclos, who represents the riding of Qubec, werealsoinvited.

• How Quebec City is mending the emotional scars left after the mosque attack

Mohamed Yangui, the president of the centre, described the event as an "exceptional night."

The attack on the mosque happened just over two months ago.

Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, faces six counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder while using a restricted firearm in connection with the attack, inwhich six men died and 19 others were wounded.

Yangui said peopleare still terrified and psychologically scarred, and some of the families have been isolated since that night. He wanted to gather the communityin a show of support.

Ahmed Ech-chahedy was inside the mosque during the attack with his 8-year-old son. He was not injured.

"We are here to help come together a bit to help change ideas," he said.

"It was a tragedy, but we are trying to forget. To pass through, that's why the people have organized a supper for everyone."

• Complete coverage of the Quebec City mosque attack

Ech-chahedysaid he still sees images of that night when he closes his eyes. He asked his brother, who lives inMorocco, to come stay with him and help in his recovery.

Among the attendees was Said Akjour, who was shot in the arm during the mosque attack. He does physiotherapythree times a week, but he can't quite lift his arm above his shoulder yet.

He appreciates the show of solidarity from people, which he says helps with the healing, "but at the same timethere are people who are no longer there."

Jol Lightbound, federal MP fortheridingofLouis-Hbert, said work needs to be done to make sure the community feels safe.

"They need to feel this is their homes, they need love from this community and acceptance," he said, pointing to some of the events organized by Quebec City residents in the wake of the shooting as steps forward.