Solidarity vigil held for Quebec City shooting victims in Saskatoon

Hundreds of people gathered for a vigil in Saskatoon on Tuesday evening as a show of support for the victims of a Quebec City shooting.

The vigil also showcased a show of support for those affected by the travel-ban enacted by the U.S. under executive order from the Trump administration. The vigil was organized by community members from different backgrounds and took place at Saskatoon's City Hall.

One of the organizers, Arisha Nazir, said the event was a show of solidarity with those organizing vigils across the country and supporting Quebec's Muslim community.

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"We literally organized this in one day and so many people have come out," Nazir said.

Earlier in the day, city council unanimously endorsed comments made by Mayor Charlie Clark earlier in the week when he referred to Saskatoon being a city of refuge.

"We will continue to welcome refugees and New Canadians to Saskatoon. I believe our strength as a city lies in our capacity to be an inclusive, resilient, and compassionate city for all," Clark said in a statement issued earlier this week.

"I wish that this was a for a more pleasant purpose," said ArifJuma, director of religious affairs for the Islamic Centre of Saskatoon, during his opening remarks.

Juma condemned the attack and said there is no room for such hate in Canada.

"We will not allow anybody to divide us or come between us," he said.

He addressed the Muslim community across Canada, saying whatever happened was God's will.

"Let's not get angry or seek revenge," he said. "Justice will prevail."

Flags at City Hallwere lowered to half-mast yesterday morning and were still in that position Tuesday evening.

Mayor Clark addressed the crowd, reading a joint statement from city council.

Clark also attended a vigil at the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon on Monday and echoed words by Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron at Tuesday's vigil.

"'You are all my relatives and we need to work together to work on behalf of our grandchildren to show we build societies by bridging and building relationships with one another,'" Clark recited.

A question and answer symposiumwill be held at the University of Saskatchewan campus on Wednesday, held by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Students' Association.