In the last 18 months, Boufeldja Benabdallah has observed an increase in acts of vandalism and anti-Muslim sentiments directed at mosques and cultural centers across Quebec, a trend that perplexes him. Despite this, as the spokesperson and co-founder of Quebec City’s Islamic Cultural Centre, Benabdallah affirms that his community is responding with heightened vigilance.
Recently, the mosque issued a public alert advising its members on security protocols to enhance safety due to recent events. In June, the Mauricie Islamic Cultural Centre experienced window breakage in a vandalism incident following a wave of online threats and intimidation directed at the Muslim community in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Subsequently, Montreal police initiated an investigation into a hate crime outside the Verdun Islamic Centre after a fake severed, bloodied hand was left at the entrance.
At around the same time, two young individuals, a man and a woman, were apprehended for causing damage at the Centre Culturel Al-Rahma Portneuf, as reported by Quebec’s provincial police. Benabdallah expressed a sense of unease among Muslims in Quebec City and emphasized the need to reassure worshippers and the broader community of their awareness and readiness in the face of such incidents.
Highlighting security measures such as ensuring secure entrances and promptly reporting suspicious activities, Benabdallah stressed that the Quebec City mosque aims to be proactive rather than alarmist, drawing from the tragic history of a past attack that claimed lives and orphaned children. In addressing the issue of online harassment and hate, Benabdallah shared his personal disgust, leading him to delete his Facebook account, and acknowledged the widespread challenges faced by the Muslim community in dealing with such mistreatment.
Abdelouaheb ben Abdallah, treasurer of the Donnacona Islamic Cultural Centre, also noted the prevalence of anti-Islam rhetoric online and emphasized the center’s ongoing efforts to maintain positive relationships with neighbors. Despite recent incidents of vandalism and hostility, the community remains resilient, with ben Abdallah underscoring their commitment to coexistence despite facing opposition.
As the community continues to grapple with these challenges, the installation of security cameras at the cultural center signifies a proactive step towards safeguarding their place of worship and gathering. Benabdallah reiterated the importance of these spaces as sanctuaries for prayer, tranquility, and community bonding, expressing a desire for the preservation of a harmonious and lively atmosphere in Quebec that they cherish and call home.