Six people were killed and eight wounded when gunmen opened fire at a Quebec City mosque during Sunday night prayers, in what Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a "terrorist attack on Muslims".
Police said two suspects had been arrested, but gave no details about them or what prompted the attack.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement: "We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a center of worship and refuge".
"Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric, and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, cities and country."
Initially, the mosque president said five people were killed and a witness said up to three gunmen had fired on about 40 people inside the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre. Police said only two people were involved in the attack.
The mosque's president, Mohamed Yangui, who was not inside when the shooting occurred, said he got frantic calls from people at evening prayers.
"Why is this happening here? This is barbaric," he said.
The shooting came on the weekend that Trudeau said Canada would welcome refugees, after US President Donald Trump suspended the US refugee program and temporarily barred citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US on national security grounds.
The premier of Quebec province, Philippe Couillard, said security would be increased at mosques in Quebec City and Montreal.
"We are with you. You are home," Couillard said, directing his comments at the province's Muslim community.
"You are welcome in your home. We are all Quebecers. We must continue together to build an open welcoming and peaceful society".
Comments (54) Closed
A true gentleman and a leader. If we had few more leaders like him the world would have been much much nicer and peaceful place.
Great of him indeed..!
A bold statement from PM...
Great gesture by Canadian Prime minister,the Muslims should reciprocate Canada in the same manner and keep their religion personal.
I live in Virginia which is mostly democratic but it's sad to see wat is happening to the USA. But I can proudly say that I have lived in America for a decade now and I have never felt discriminated against. But now I can feel the change. But it's true Some of our Muslim brothers have brought such a bad name to Muslims. And now we all have to pay the price. Bus yar I really feeling like leavin this country now. But one thing I want to say for trump I'm proud to be a Muslim even though us Muslims don't follow the true meaning of Islam.
This is what is expected from a civilised govt/society...a lesson for everybody
The Canadian prime minister is a good man.
What can he do? He has to save himself from future acts of terrorism. We should understand this.
Well done Mr. Trudeau for your bold statement on the barbaric incident aimed at shattering the peaceful atmosphere and religious harmony in Canada. This is obviously an act of the Trump minded people who are bent upon creating chaos in the Canadian society and putting the peace at stake. Every Muslim is not a terrorist nor do they preach Islam for fuelling terrorism. There may be a handful of Muslims who spread extremism and violence but as a whole Islam's philosophy is peaceful, nonviolent and unbiased calling for enlightenment, fraternity and equality. All the Canadian Muslims need to stand united and extend maximum cooperation to Canadian government in maintains peace and harmony there.
That sounds very funny.
@Ahmed bin Babar " Great of him indeed!"
But when are we going to treat minorities the way they treat people of any country and any religion ? Don't you think it is time for little introspection !
Muslim lives matter. About time any wrong doing towards Muslims should also be classed as terrorism.
There is something fishy about this on the way he is desperate to make Canada a Muslim.majority country.
It's all about vote bank politics
@Eaha "There is something fishy about this on the way he is desperate to make Canada a Muslim.majority country." Ah..conspiracy theories.
@Durai Yeah. There are some who can find beauty in every act!
Start of black era of Trump.
I wish some day Pakistan may emulate such spirit and such character
It needs to be realised that, such attacks at places of worships deliberately for creating terror can only be planned and executed by those who meticulously design such events. Those directly involved and visible, are only the operatives, while the triggers are pressed by those who actually gain through such horrible acts. Not difficult to see who are actually the beneficiaries.
@Eaha - Are we looking a gift horse in the mouth? How many other countries, other than Germany and Canada welcoming Muslims in their midst? Are Germans conspiring to make Germany Muslim-majority country in Europe?
And what if they were? What's wrong with it? Why do Muslim them line up to get Canadian Landed Immigrant status from all over the world??
Very sad and disturbing, its always the innocent who suffer. Its time the majority peaceful muslims stand up against the minority who are hijacking public perception.
Very brace., great man
This attack on the mosque is also extremism and is condemnable. All Muslims cannot be maligned and terrorised in this manner. Well done the PM
Terrorism is taking different forms and extremism is the primary driving force behind it. Although camouflaged by different religious or other social labels, these extremist feelings are a result of people losing their homes, facing foreign attacks or otherwise from a fear of such situations. The governments should now work to stop distinguishing people on basis of their religion as Mr. Trump has proposed but instead should focus on providing their people with a feeling of safety, harmony and equality. Canadian PM is doing the right thing. I hope things get better in future.
Quebec shooting seems to be a very well-planned Games against Trump to put him down. Trump is a great president and he is doing everything he can to protect America and American people.
@The end is near - I hope you can go and live in Trump's country and go down with him!
Glad to know there are people like Trudeau in this world
this attack all becoz of ISIS ... innocent muslim suffers very sad !!
A man with lots of guts. We had a person like him in our country (Gov. Taseer) but we ............
I am proud to be a Canadian- Pakistani. My hearts bleeds for the victims and their families and loved ones.
Most Canadian are nice decent and humble people but as in society ( we have seen, In Pakistan, our Massajid, Churches, Imambargahs were blown up far too many times. This is an isolated terror act by a small group of fanatics. we will overcome it with help of all levels of the Governments and the general public.
JT the most respected and loved Premier of the world.
I am glad someone publicly said it.
What a leader of a nation. The world needs more of these.
Keep your religion a personal business, assimilate with the locals and of course educate,
Terrorist attack on Muslims and not "Terrorist attack on Canadians"?
How about terrorist attack (period)
Great Leader
I agreed, but it would have been better if he said it
It is the 'Terrorist Attack' on Canada.
Thank you PM; much obliged!
Love for all hatred for none
Any society can have a terrorist incident, the difference is how does the society react to it. In some societies hate makes you win elections, in some societies elect egalitarian people like PM Trudeau.
Muslims around the world must think that this hatred against them in the west is the result of some contorted mind Muslims minorities who avenged on their own the western governments acts. West even USA public has soft heart for Muslims. Ok Trump is bad but he is safeguarding his country's public. We Muslim always blame others and do not look our behavior.
Very sad what has happened in Quebec city. My deepest sympathies to the families who have lost their beloveds. These people lost their lives during evening prayers and their place is in heaven. Trump, now you know who are great leaders and who are not.
@Gungo;
'If we had few more leaders like him the world would have been much much nicer and peaceful place.'
The control system in the West has a lot of strategic depth, they can absorb an occasional naive altrustic idealist and keep going without leaving a lasting impact. Sweden had their Olof Palme, four weeks from today is the 30th anniversary of his assasination, does his name ring a bell?
Words matters. Symbolism matters. Welcoming smiles matters.
The old welcoming America is dead. Canada is the new America.
@PakCanuck When someone goes berserk and decides to shoot down a whole group of Blacks in America, its usually called an attack on the Black community. Same logic here. Why must you find fault with everything someone says?
Thank you PM Trudeau. Muslim should treat Canada in the same manner and keep their religion personal.
@Hafeez, Canada;
'Muslim should treat Canada in the same manner and keep their religion personal.'
You don't have to keep it personal, but you have to keep it within the law.
@Umar khan usa ; It is not worse than 9/11 times , It is a personal decision to stay or leave ! I do live in VA and had been working at airports . The most obnoxious place to work with mostly red neck crews -I am not planning to leave. Why would I? This great country belong to red Indians, We all are immigrants. Thanks God it is a democratic country ,. follow by it's law s -if you don't like one president after 4 years vote him/her out .......It is still lot better than rest of the world. Including our beloved Pakistan.
Religion is never above humanity. Once we are clear on it the problems will be reduced to half if not completely eliminated
It was a terrorist attack against Muslims. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Does the RCMP have them in custody yet? What is the update on that? They are French speaking natives of Quebec. That narrows down the search. The FBI is already on the scene doing forensics.
@PANKAJ .... Do you understand what French separatists are about? You may be out of your element here. Do your know any French Canadians?
Seems like we are now Trumpfobia. Let's blame everything on Trump. Tomorrow your dinner burns on the stove, blame trump.
@arsHAD, Canada .... ... Everything you say is absolutely correct.
@PakCanuck .... ... .. They don't get it.