Boufeldja Benabdallah has noticed an increase in acts of vandalism and anti-Muslim sentiments targeting mosques and cultural centers in Quebec over the past 18 months, but he is puzzled by the reasons behind this trend.
As the spokesperson and co-founder of Quebec City’s Islamic Cultural Centre, Benabdallah states that his community is responding with vigilance to these incidents. Recently, the mosque issued a public warning to remind its members of security measures to enhance safety following a series of troubling events.
In one instance, the Mauricie Islamic Cultural Centre had its windows smashed in an act of vandalism amidst a wave of online threats and harassment directed at the Muslim community in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Another hate crime investigation was launched by Montreal police outside the Verdun Islamic Centre when an artificial imitation of a bloodied, severed human hand was discovered at the entrance.
Additionally, Quebec’s provincial police arrested two young adults, a man and a woman, for vandalism at the Centre Culturel Al-Rahma Portneuf in Donnacona, located less than 50 kilometers southwest of Quebec City.
Benabdallah acknowledges a sense of unease among Muslims in Quebec City and emphasizes the importance of alertness and community support. The Quebec City mosque aims to ensure security by implementing measures such as maintaining closed entrances and promptly reporting any suspicious activities to staff members.
Reflecting on a tragic event a decade ago when six individuals were killed in a mosque shooting, Benabdallah stresses the community’s determination to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.
Evan Balgord, the Executive Director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, notes a concerning rise in hate directed at religious groups over the past decade. He highlights the challenges in accurately measuring hate crimes and emphasizes the need to address both physical vandalism and online harassment.
Abdelouaheb ben Abdallah, a member of the Donnacona Islamic cultural centre, acknowledges the prevalence of anti-Islam rhetoric online and emphasizes the importance of fostering positive relationships within the community.
Despite facing challenges, the cultural center in Donnacona remains resilient, with security measures being enhanced through the installation of cameras. Benabdallah underscores the significance of these spaces as places of solace and community gathering, expressing a desire to maintain a sense of joy and belonging in Quebec.
The community remains committed to overcoming adversity and upholding the values of peace and harmony in the face of discrimination and threats.