In the last year and a half, Boufeldja Benabdallah has observed a surge in vandalism and anti-Muslim sentiments directed at mosques and cultural centers across Quebec, a trend that puzzles him. Despite this, the spokesperson and co-founder of Quebec City’s Islamic Cultural Centre affirms that his community is actively responding with heightened vigilance.
Recently, the mosque issued a public alert, urging its members to adhere to enhanced security protocols in light of recent incidents. In June, the Mauricie Islamic Cultural Centre faced vandalism, with its windows shattered following a wave of online threats and harassment aimed at the Muslim community in Trois-Rivières, Que. Subsequently, Montreal police initiated a hate crime investigation outside the Verdun Islamic Centre after discovering a fake severed human hand drenched in blood at the entrance.
Moreover, two young adults, a man, and a woman were arrested for vandalizing the Centre Culturel Al-Rahma Portneuf in Donnacona, Que., according to Quebec’s provincial police. Benabdallah expressed a prevailing sense of unease among Muslims in Quebec City, emphasizing the importance of reassuring worshippers and the community of their proactive stance against such threats.
Security measures have been reinforced, including strict entrance controls and immediate reporting of any suspicious activities. Benabdallah underscores that the Quebec City mosque’s intent is readiness, not alarmism, recalling a tragic shooting incident almost a decade ago that claimed several lives.
Evan Balgord, the executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, acknowledges the worsening trend of hate towards religious groups over the past decade, with Muslims in Quebec reporting heightened levels of discrimination. He emphasizes the inadequacy of relying solely on police-reported hate crime data due to underreporting.
Benabdallah highlights that besides physical vandalism, online harassment poses a significant concern for the community, leading some members to deactivate social media accounts due to derogatory and threatening messages. Despite facing such challenges, the resolve to uphold unity and resilience remains strong within the Muslim community.
Abdelouaheb ben Abdallah, treasurer of the Donnacona Islamic Cultural Centre, echoes Benabdallah’s sentiments, noting a rise in anti-Islam rhetoric online. He emphasizes the center’s efforts to foster positive relationships with neighbors amid growing tensions. Despite recent incidents, such as the vandalism at the cultural center, steps have been taken to enhance security through the installation of surveillance cameras.
Both Benabdallah and ben Abdallah stress the significance of these community spaces as places of solace, unity, and spiritual refuge, underscoring the collective determination to preserve a sense of peace and belonging amidst adversity in Quebec.