Since the day of the mass shooting that left six men dead in a mosque in Quebec City’s Sainte-Foy neighbourhood, the outpour of support for the Muslim community continues.

Last Wednesday over 200 Red Deerians stood together on the steps of City Hall and on Sunday more came out to the Red Deer Islamic Center’s open house, to show support and learn more about their Muslim neighbours. 

“The support has been outstanding and it gives me pride that I live in a society that despite what is happening around the world, they are willing to stand up for and support their fellow Canadians, who they really don’t know too much about,” Coordinator Jawed Iqbal said. 

Since the shooting, Iqbal said people have dropped off flowers, sent e-mails, cards and written letters. 

Today’s open house, although not the first one held in the mosque, was planned in the wake of the tragedy in an effort to break down misconceptions. 

“I strongly believe that when people get to know the people they have stereotypes about, when they really get to interact with them, all those barriers and those preconceived notions that they had about a person of a certain background, they fall away,” Iqbal said. 

“It’s important that people like us, invite the people who have questions to break away that barrier of fear and misinformation and that will go a long way in helping build bridges with communities.”

Pam Syrota brought her young twin boys Anderson and Leland with her, to teach them to embrace people of all backgrounds.  

“It’s important for our kids to see a variety of people from a variety of religions and ethnicities. It’s important as they grow up, they get to know people of all different cultures and to be welcoming of different cultures too,” Syrota said.

“Canada is a nation full of immigrants, we all come from different places and I think that’s important.” 

For Iqbal, he hopes that because of today, more people see him and the rest of the Muslim community through a different lens. 

“My main hope is that people will get to know us as human beings, as regular folks who happen to practice a religion that is not too common in Canada,” Iqbal said. 

“But at the same time the values that Muslim people have are very similar to the values that most Canadians have, of inclusion, charity, taking care of the poor and speaking out for justice and against oppression.”

kwilson@goldenwestradio.com