Boufeldja Benabdallah has noticed an increase in vandalism and anti-Muslim sentiments directed at mosques and cultural centers in Quebec over the past eighteen months, which has left him puzzled. Despite this, as the spokesperson and co-founder of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City, he emphasizes that their community is responding with heightened vigilance.
Recently, the Mauricie Islamic Cultural Centre faced vandalism, with its windows shattered following a wave of online threats and harassment against the Muslim community in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Subsequently, the Verdun Islamic Centre in Montreal was targeted in a hate crime investigation after an unsettling incident involving a fake bloodied hand left at its entrance.
In a related event, two young individuals were apprehended by Quebec’s provincial police for vandalizing the Centre Culturel Al-Rahma Portneuf, an Islamic facility in Donnacona, Quebec. Benabdallah expressed a prevailing sense of anxiety among Muslims in Quebec City and reiterated their commitment to community safety through proactive measures such as increased security protocols and immediate reporting of suspicious activities.
This precautionary approach stems from the tragic history of the Quebec City mosque where a fatal shooting occurred a decade ago, resulting in multiple casualties. Benabdallah underscores the importance of preventing such atrocities from happening again by staying prepared and not alarmist.
Amidst these acts of vandalism, Benabdallah acknowledges the distressing impact of online harassment on the community, leading some individuals to deactivate their social media accounts due to the extent of insults and threats faced. Evan Balgord, from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, highlights the escalating hate targeted at religious groups over the past decade, emphasizing the challenges in accurately quantifying such crimes due to underreporting to law enforcement.
Abdelouaheb ben Abdallah, treasurer of the Donnacona Islamic cultural center, echoes concerns about rising anti-Islam rhetoric online despite efforts to maintain positive relationships with neighbors. While facing incidents of vandalism and intimidation, he stresses the importance of preserving these communal spaces as havens for prayer, solace, and family gatherings.
In response to recent security breaches, the cultural center in Donnacona has installed surveillance cameras for added protection. Ben Abdallah acknowledges the existence of anti-Islamic sentiments but emphasizes the community’s resolve to coexist peacefully with dissenting voices. He envisions these spaces as vital sanctuaries for spiritual reflection and unity, expressing a desire to uphold a harmonious way of life in Quebec.
By prioritizing community safety and unity, both Benabdallah and Abdallah underscore the resilience and commitment of Quebec’s Muslim population to safeguard their cultural and religious spaces against acts of intolerance and hatred.
