January 29th, 2023

On January 29, 2017, a lone gunman entered a mosque in Quebec City and opened fire on dozens of Muslim Canadians during a prayer service. Six worshippers were killed and 19 more injured. The Quebec City mosque mass shooting remains the worst mass murder in a house of worship in Canada’s history.

On June 6, 2021, the Afzaal family of London, Ontario were out for a walk when a truck jumped the curve and ran over them in a deadly attack that devastated the Muslim community.

Alarmingly, Islamophobia and its tragic consequences are pervasive in communities across Canada. The 2021 Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) statement on the National Summit on Islamophobia reported that in the past five years, more Muslims have been killed in targeted hate attacks in Canada than any other G7 country, because of Islamophobia. In 2022, attacks against Muslims, especially Black Muslim women, remained a threat.

“Black, Muslim women face Islamophobia, in addition to anti-Black racism, Afrophobia and gender-based discrimination and violence,” stated
Dunia Nur, president of the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council

Supporting Students and Staff

At the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), we know that staff and students from diverse faith communities need a safe and respectful environment to succeed academically.

The Religious and Creed Accommodation Policy supports academic achievement by eliminating discrimination and harassment related to creed. The WRDSB’s Human Rights Policy is committed to providing working and learning environments that are free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity and can thrive and fully contribute.

Get Involved

  • Wear a green square in support of action against Islamophobia, hate and violence in Canada. Here’s how to make and wear the green square.
  • Learn more about the Green Square campaign.
  • On January 29th, join the Coalition of Muslim Women of KW at a townhall with Waterloo Regional Police Service’s new chief, Mark Crowell, to talk about action against the hate faced by ALL racialized communities.
    • All racialized community members are invited to attend
    • Use this link to register for the event – On January 29, registration check-in will open between 12:30 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. Official programming will begin at 1 p.m.
    • Lunch will be provided.
  • Take a moment to learn about Islamophobia in Canada. You can start here: 2022 Islamophobia in Review: Canada
  • Use hashtags like #IRememberJanuary29, #QuebecMosqueShooting, and #StopIslamophobia in social media posts in support of action against Islamophobia, hate and violence in Canada.

Categories: School News