Around 200 people gathered on the steps of Red Deer City Hall for a vigil and prayer to honour the six men killed at a Quebec City mosque last Sunday. 

On a cold Wednesday evening the community of Red Deer stood together in solidarity with the Muslim community offering their support and promoting tolerance.  

The event was hosted by the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Network, who offered their support, along with members of the Muslim community, Mayor Tara Veer and others.  

WIC Co-Chair Andrea Lacoursiere said she hopes the community embraces cultural differences in a loving and open way, in order to continue to learn from one another.

“That’s essentially what this is all about,” Lacoursiere said.

“We have to go forward and put our biases aside because at this point, that doesn’t matter.”

Members of the Muslim community addressed the crowd preaching tolerance, empathy and hope.

Clerk Leader of the Red Deer Islamic Centre Imam Bashir Hareed said the message he wanted to get across was one of inclusivity.

“The more we are different and the more we discuss our differences and talk about it, the closer we can come together,” Hareed said.

“I’m optimistic we will overcome our differences by talking and engaging with one another.”

Hareed added the Islamic Centre will open its doors to the community in order to understand the teachings of Islam, how they pray and what takes place in the mosques.

Burman University will also be holding a vigil on Friday starting at 6:30pm.