Boufeldja Benabdallah has observed an increase in acts of vandalism and anti-Muslim sentiments directed at mosques and cultural centers across Quebec in the past eighteen months, but he is puzzled by the reasons behind this trend. Despite the challenges, the spokesperson and co-founder of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City affirms that their community is responding with heightened vigilance.
In a unique step, Benabdallah’s mosque issued a public cautionary message last week, reminding its members of security protocols to enhance safety in light of recent incidents. One such incident involved the vandalism of the Mauricie Islamic Cultural Centre’s windows after a spate of online threats and harassment targeted the Muslim community in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Similarly, Montreal police initiated an investigation into a hate crime outside the Verdun Islamic Centre following the placement of a fake severed hand coated in blood at the entrance.
Law enforcement authorities in Quebec reported the arrest of two young individuals, a man and a woman, for vandalizing the Centre Culturel Al-Rahma Portneuf, an Islamic facility in Donnacona, Quebec. Benabdallah expressed a prevailing sense of unease among Quebec City’s Muslims, emphasizing the importance of reassuring worshippers and the community of their awareness and preparedness to address any security concerns.
Security measures outlined by Benabdallah include strict control of entrances and immediate reporting of suspicious activities to staff, emphasizing the mosque’s proactive stance rather than alarmism. Recalling a tragic event a decade ago in the same mosque where six individuals lost their lives in a shooting, Benabdallah underscores the necessity to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Evan Balgord, the executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, highlighted the escalating levels of hate directed at religious communities over the past decade, underscoring the challenges in accurately measuring such crimes due to underreporting. Benabdallah shared concerns about online harassment, revealing his personal decision to delete his Facebook account due to the extent of insults and threats faced.
Abdelouaheb ben Abdallah, treasurer of the Donnacona Islamic cultural center, acknowledged the rise of anti-Islam rhetoric online and emphasized the center’s efforts to maintain positive relationships with neighbors. Despite challenges, the community remains resilient, with a focus on enhancing security measures such as installing surveillance cameras post-incident to safeguard their spaces of worship and communal gatherings. Benabdallah reiterated the importance of preserving the sense of peace, unity, and belonging that these cultural centers provide for families and children, emphasizing their commitment to fostering a harmonious coexistence in Quebec.