'It becomes our responsibility': Calgary mosque opens doors to public after fatal Quebec shooting - Action News
Home WebMail Monday, November 18, 2024, 01:50 PM | Calgary | -2.4°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
CalgaryVideo

'It becomes our responsibility': Calgary mosque opens doors to public after fatal Quebec shooting

In the wake of last Sunday night's deadly shooting at a mosque in Quebec, an Ahmadiyya mosque in Calgary opened its doors today, inviting the general public to come in and dispel any misconceptions they may have about the religion.

'Visit a Mosque' events take place across Canada to encourage cultural understanding and integration

Calgary's Baitur Nur Mosque in the northeast opened its doors to the general public as part of the Canada-wide "Visit A Mosque campaign aimed to increase cultural integration and understanding. (CBC)

In the wake of last Sunday night's deadly shooting at a mosque in Quebec,an Ahmadiyya mosque in Calgary opened its doors today, inviting the general public to come in and dispel any misconceptions they may have about the religion.

It was an opportunity for 14-year-old Hunter Grigor, who lives in the neighborhood, toenterthe Baitur Nur Mosque for the first time.

"Just seeing how many different, diverse people there are here.It just opens my eyes.It helps me understand a bit more someof my friends at school."

Hunter Grigor says he was stunned by the architecture when he first walked into the mosque. (CBC)

Hunter's mother, Kathy Grigor, regularly attends church and said it was important to bring her son to the event in the light of the Quebec City tragedy.

"It doesn't matter how a person worships, nobody deserves that," shesaid."I disagree wholeheartedly with targeting a person based on their belief."

Small but significant turnout

The Grigors appeared to be the only two non-Muslims to attend the "Visit A Mosque" event.

Sultan Mahmood, a leader at the mosque, had hoped for a larger turnout at the open house, but said he still felt the event was worthwhile.

"For me, one person comes, can be educated, and have the urge to learn, that helps."

Mahmood said that since the Quebec City shooting, his mosque has received numerousmessages of support by phone and emailfrom the broader community.

Sultan Mahmood says he had hoped for a larger turnout, but overall the response from the community at large has been 'very heartening.' (CBC)

"That is very heartening," he said."That gives you a lot of confidence that we are not alone," Mahmood said.

"Whatever loss we have had, this kind of response overcomes that."

Mahmoodsaid he believes opening the mosque's doors can go a long way toward addressing any fears or misunderstandings that people may have about Islam.

"I think it becomes our responsibility to reach [out] to the people and tell them we're just like them. There is no difference."

Friday's event is just the latest opportunity that Calgarians have had to stand in solidarity with the local Muslim community.

On Monday, roughly 500 attended a candlelight vigil at city hall. The next day, an inter-faith prayer was held at theAkram Jomaa Mosque in the city's northeast.

With files from Kate Adach