'We are one family': Edmontonians counter September attack with show of unity

Inside Edmonton's city hall, choir members of all shades and faiths sing a traditional Afghan song as aman in jeans spins to the pulse of a djembe drum.

Among clapping audience members are a golden-robed Buddhist monk, women in colourfulscarvesand hijabs, men in suits, Edmonton police and politicians.

It's the exact show of support organizers hoped for at Friday's Unity Celebration in response to the Sept. 30 knife and vehicle attack on an Edmonton police officer that also leftfour pedestrians injured.

• 'We stand together': Hundreds show support for victims of Edmonton attacks
• Man charged with 5 counts of attempted murder for Edmonton attacks

"Today is about sharing love among different communities," said Ahmed Abdulkadir, a member of Edmonton's Safety Summit Committee, which organized the event. "Today's about spreading love in Edmonton."

In the hours, days and weeks after charges were laid against Somali refugee Abdulahi Sharif, community leaders, politicians and police spokein solidarity and worked hard behind the scenes to counter the inevitable backlash.

On Friday, guests greeted each other with warm hugs and handshakes, all there to celebrate andhonour police andcomfort those still hurting. They shared a Somali meal, soaked up poetry and an Inuinnaqtun prayer.

It was a chance to connect anyone facing harassment and discrimination with legal, community and mental health services they might need, as wellas morale support.

In the aftermath of the attacks, community groups fielded calls from those feeling afraidto leave their homes, ride buses or send their kids to school.

And indeed, organizations have heard from those subjected toracist or Islamophobic slurs, vandalism and aggression on city streets.

"Events like this where we do bring people together, that's where we are saying there's no room for hate in Edmonton," said Fatmeh Kalouti, chair of the Safety Summit Committee.

'Go back to your country'

Kaloutisaid being there was also asource of personal comfort. She wasrecently in a car accident and found herself on the receiving end of hateful words from a passerby.

"This wouldn't have happened if you were Canadian," she recalled the man yelling. "Go back to your country, you effingimmigrant."

Kalouti, who was born and raised in Canada, said events like the Unity Celebration make a difference.

We will not allow others to intimidate you or harass you. We are here to support you.We are one family.- Ahmed Abdulkadir, Unity Celebration organizer

"It just brings me that peace of knowing that these are the people I'm surrounded with every day," she said.

Abdulkadir encouraged anyone who is the target of hate to report the incident to both police and an Islamophobic hotlinerun by the the Alberta Muslim Public Affairs Council.

He said all too often, people brush off incidents that need to be reported and documented. Even more important, he said, people need to know they're not alone.

"We will not allow others to intimidate you or harass you," said Abdulkadir. "We are here to support you.We are one family."

andrea.huncar@cbc.ca
@andreahuncar