Boufeldja Benabdallah has observed an increase in vandalism and anti-Muslim sentiment targeting mosques and cultural centers in Quebec over the past 18 months, a trend that puzzles him. Yet, as the spokesperson and co-founder of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City, he emphasizes that the community is responding with vigilance.
In a recent move unprecedented in his memory, the mosque issued a public advisory last week to remind its members of security protocols aimed at enhancing safety in light of recent incidents. In June, the Mauricie Islamic Cultural Centre had its windows shattered in a vandalism act following a wave of online threats and harassment directed at the Muslim community in Trois-Rivières.
A month later, Montreal authorities initiated an investigation into a hate crime outside the Verdun Islamic Centre after a fake severed human hand covered in blood was left at the entrance. Concurrently, two young adults, a man, and a woman were apprehended for vandalizing the Centre Culturel Al-Rahma Portneuf, an Islamic center and prayer room in Donnacona, located less than 50 kilometers southwest of Quebec City, according to Quebec provincial police.
Expressing a sense of unease among Muslims in Quebec City, Benabdallah stressed the importance of reassuring worshippers and the community that they are actively monitoring the situation. The mosque is implementing security measures such as ensuring all entrances are securely closed and promptly reporting any suspicious activities to staff members. This preparedness is not intended to incite fear but to be proactive.
Recalling a tragic incident nearly a decade ago where six individuals were killed in an attack at the same mosque, Benabdallah emphasizes the community’s commitment to preventing such a tragedy from reoccurring.
Evan Balgord, the Executive Director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, highlights the escalating hate towards religious communities over the last decade, with challenges in accurately quantifying hate crimes due to limitations in police-reported statistics. Benabdallah echoes concerns beyond physical vandalism, citing disturbing online harassment instances that have led him to delete his Facebook account.
Abdelouaheb ben Abdallah, treasurer and member of the Donnacona Islamic cultural center, acknowledges the rise in anti-Islam rhetoric online, despite efforts to maintain positive relationships with neighbors. The small Muslim community in Donnacona, with approximately 100 members at the Centre Culturel Al-Rahma Portneuf, was recently targeted with vandalism, prompting the installation of security cameras.
Reflecting on the importance of these communal spaces for prayer and tranquility, Benabdallah underscores the community’s desire to preserve these sanctuaries amidst rising tensions. He emphasizes a commitment to coexisting with those who hold anti-Islam sentiments while cherishing Quebec as their home and advocating for a continued “joie de vivre.”