A dark place

Last Sunday was a dark day for our country. A young Canadian from Quebec went into a mosque where men were praying and opened fire on them, killing six and wounding five. How could someone have such anger and hatred in his heart to commit such an act?

This man was a right-wing troll who espoused anti-foreigner and anti-feminist ideas. A loner, he decided in his demented mind that innocent people had to die. He attacked good, innocent people in their place of worship. Prison should be his home for the remainder of his life. 

Canada has a history of immigration. The aboriginal people were the first inhabitants of this land. The rest of us or our ancestors arrived on boats or in aircraft, some more recently than others. Our diversity gives richness and strength to our society, as we each contribute in our own unique way.

Every society has people who have extreme views and we are no exception. We must stand against these people and speak up when we see or hear their hate speech. Silence is complicity. If we stand by and allow people to spew hatred without speaking up, then we are part of the problem.

It's been a difficult week. Canadian Muslims don't feel safe and many of us do not know how to help. It is hard to see a way through this tragedy and how to prevent more of them. However, each can do her part to be open to everyone in our country, to embrace our differences because they make this wonderful kaleidoscope of faith, colour, and culture which is Canada. This way, we create a light through the darkness.

 

Je me souviens.