'Surprised and horrified': Island Muslims react to Quebec mosque shootings

Communities across Canada are grieving the victims of a deadly shooting at a Quebec City mosque on Sunday, including P.E.I.

• Latest updates on the deadly Quebec mosque shooting
• Quebec premier, Muslim leaders denounce deadly mosque attack

"I was crying," said Mona Abdallah, a UPEIstudent who is Muslim. "I know that those people, they only go to the mosque to practice their religion, so why?"

"When we heard the news we were surprised and horrified to hear an attack on a prayer hall," said Zain Esseghaier, spokesperson for the Muslim Society of P.E.I.

He said he's been receiving manymessages since Sunday withreaction from across the Island, from both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

"It's quite heart warming to hear we're not alone," said Esseghaier.

• Flags lowered after attack at Quebec City mosque

Flags across P.E.I. were also lowered to half mast today in honour of Sunday's shooting victims.

'It's still puzzling'

The shootings happened two days after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive orderbarring citizens from sevenMuslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.

Abdallah said it feels to her the Muslim community is deeply misunderstood.

"Islam is the religion of peaceful but they will not believe Islam is the religion of peaceful until they go and study Islam," she said.

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Esseghaiersaid Trump'sactions don't make any sense to him.

"It's still puzzling, I think, for everyone. There doesn't seem to be a clear direction in terms of policies," he said.

March to be held on Saturday

The Muslim Society of P.E.I., along with the Cooper Institute, are organizing a march that will be held this Saturday.

Esseghaier said he hopes events this past weekend will unite instead of divide.

"We have to remain in solidarity with each other, regardless of faith or race."

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