Over 100 people gathered outside the Moncton Muslim Association on Thursday evening, to express their solidarity for the Muslim Community.
The vigil, organized after a targeted act of violence in London, Ontario, injured a young boy and killed his family, garnered attendance from individuals of many cultural backgrounds looking to show their support.
Armed with signs and images that denounce Islamophobia, participants took turns recounting horrific hate-driven acts they’ve experienced, as non-Muslim attendees expressed their sympathies and want for change.
Abdal Khan is the President of the Moncton Muslim Association.
“This is not the first time this has happened, and if action is not taken, who knows if it will happen again.”
Khan was surprised and thankful to see the number of people that had shown up for the Muslim community. This included several members of the recently elected Moncton City Council and the MP for the region.
Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe MP @GinettePT arrived wearing a hijab in support of the Muslim community pic.twitter.com/jp5hwI5pev
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) June 10, 2021
With the demands for change being shouted across the country, Khan believes it’s time for changes to occur at the federal level.
“We have to come up with a national strategy because New Brunswick and Moncton is not separate from the rest of Canada we’re in the same boat.
For Khan, the hope is that the most recent tragedy will result in permanent change, with a desire for Canadians to accept each other regardless of culture, race or religion.
“Once you know someone, you start thinking differently.”