Boufeldja Benabdallah has noticed an increase in vandalism and anti-Muslim rhetoric directed at mosques and cultural centers across Quebec over the past 18 months, a trend that puzzles him. Despite this, as the spokesperson and co-founder of Quebec City’s Islamic Cultural Center, he emphasizes that their community is responding with vigilance.
Recently, the Mauricie Islamic Cultural Center faced vandalism, with its windows smashed following a wave of online threats and harassment towards the Muslim community in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Similarly, an investigation was launched by Montreal police into a hate crime outside the Verdun Islamic Center after a fake severed, bloodied human hand was left at the entrance.
In a separate incident, two young adults were arrested for vandalism at the Centre Culturel Al-Rahma Portneuf, an Islamic center in Donnacona, located less than 50 kilometers southwest of Quebec City, according to Quebec provincial police.
Benabdallah expressed a sense of unease among Muslims in Quebec City and stressed the importance of ensuring safety measures, such as keeping entrances secure and reporting any suspicious activities promptly. He highlighted that the Quebec City mosque’s intention is not to create panic but to be prepared, especially considering the tragic history of a past shooting incident that claimed lives.
Evan Balgord, the executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, acknowledged a worsening trend of hate towards religious communities over the past decade, with challenges in accurately measuring hate crimes targeting the Muslim community due to underreporting to law enforcement.
Apart from physical vandalism, Benabdallah also highlighted the impact of online harassment on the community, expressing his disgust to the point of deleting his Facebook account. He underlined the need to address these issues and provide reassurance to worshippers and the broader community.
Abdelouaheb ben Abdallah, treasurer and member of the Donnacona Islamic Cultural Center, echoed concerns about anti-Islam rhetoric online and emphasized the center’s efforts to maintain positive relationships with neighbors despite recent incidents. He mentioned that the cultural center has taken steps to enhance security, including installing cameras.
Both Benabdallah and ben Abdallah emphasized the importance of preserving these community spaces as places of solace, prayer, and unity, expressing a commitment to coexist with those who hold anti-Islam sentiments while striving to nurture a harmonious environment in Quebec.
Overall, these incidents underscore the challenges faced by Muslim communities in Quebec and the importance of unity, vigilance, and resilience in the face of adversity.
