SASKATOON — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says now, more than ever, Canadians must stand together against racism and Islamophobia. Trudeau made the comments in Saskatoon while delivering remarks recognizing the beginning of Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Adha is a Muslim holiday also know as the feast of sacrifice and marks Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son for God.
Trudeau thanked those gathered for their interfaith work and community building, calling it truly important.
The prime minister is also to sit down today with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, which delivers social programs and services to seven First Nations within a 200-kilometre radius of Saskatoon.
Celebrating #EidalAdha with the Muslim community in Saskatoon this morning. Eid Mubarak! pic.twitter.com/VmRKLry2PD
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 1, 2017
He is then to take part in a roundtable with co-op students at the Gordon Oaks Red Bear Student Centre before he heads to Whitehorse.
"Whether we are in a big city or a small town, we must continue to stand together, united against racism, hatred and Islamophobia," Trudeau told the crowd.
"This is just who we are as Canadians. We are there for each other. We stand up for each other."
Eid Mubarak! Sending my best wishes to Muslims celebrating Eid al-Adha & the end of the Hajj today. https://t.co/UjUx5gg0dE pic.twitter.com/4gsVb3gA0a
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 31, 2017
QUEBEC PREMIER SAYS LATEST HATEFUL ACT AGAINST MUSLIM COMMUNITY 'CROSSED A LINE'
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard says a line has been crossed with the torching of a mosque president's car and that citizens need to come together and clearly take a stand against hate.
Police confirmed Wednesday a car belonging to Mohamed Labidi, president of the Quebec City mosque where six men were shot dead in January, was set on fire earlier this month.
The incident occurred days after Quebec City's mayor announced an agreement with the mosque on the creation of a new Muslim cemetery in the city.
"The more that people who commit these acts feel condemned by society, the more — I hope — it'll be harder for them to repeat them," Couillard told reporters on Thursday.
Couillard said political leaders and influential people in the media have the responsibility to choose their words carefully.
Public figures need to "send the right information and to participate in the outburst among the population of anger towards these types of acts," he said.
The mosque also said excrement was thrown at its doors several days after the car was destroyed.
It has reported hateful incidents before, including in July when it received a package containing a defaced Qur'an and a hateful note.
In June 2016, a pig's head was left at the entrance of the same mosque during Ramadan.
Couillard said the car burning "crossed a line" and "clearly represented hate and also violence."
