Laurier Brantford holding healing events in a show of solidarity following Quebec mosque fatal attac
- Feb 10, 2017
- 2 min read
The Diversity and Equity Office organized a collective healing and strategizing event on Laurier Brantford campus in the wake of the deadly mosque shooting in Quebec City.
“It [the healing event] is a response to the Islamophobia and racist violence that has taken place recently in both Canada and abroad,” said Lauren Burrows, the Education and Inclusion Coordinator of the Diversity and Equity Office of Laurier Brantford. The healing event was held in St. Andrews Community Centre on Laurier Brantford campus on February 1.
The healing space provided a private and secure platform where students came together to share their feelings and channelled their anger and fear. It supported students who felt isolated by Islamophobia and engaged students to strategize anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia actions.
“Many students, particularly minority students, in our institution have been negatively impacted by the Trump immigration ban, the Islamophobia, systemic oppression and Quebec mosque shootings,” said Jaydene Lavallie, the Campus Engagement Director of Laurier Brantford.
Burrows said that many students have also experienced vicarious trauma.
“When they [students] see this sort of violence against people who share parts of their identity, they often and automatically experience part of that trauma caused [by racism and Islamophobia],” explained Burrows.
The Diversity and Equity Office has mobilized the staff and faculty on Laurier Brantford campus and encouraged students to take part in the healing event.
“Our university, as an academic institution, has a role to play in addressing Islamophobia and racism in the Canadian context,” said Burrows. “We are expecting to see hundreds of participants throughout the week to engage in the healing events and the following candlelight vigil night.”
Imam Abu Noman Tarek, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Association of Brantford said it was “very importance” for the university to create the healing space and organize the healing sessions in the aftermath of the Quebec fatal shooting.
“It helps prevent tragedy in the future,” said Imam Tarek.
The Diversity and Equity Office also organized a candlelight peace vigil following the healing event on Wednesday. It was held in the Research and Academic Centre West Lobby on Thursday night.
Dozens of people gathered Thursday night for the candlelight peace vigil in Laurier in remembrance of the deaths of six men killed in the Quebec mosque attack.
“It is wonderful to see that so many people … showing commitment to the diversity and one community living in peace together,” said Imam Tarek in an interview, “I am very impressed to see so many young faces from different backgrounds coming together and giving their time and showing their sympathy for the loss of life.”
Imam Tarek appealed to the students be honest with their feelings and to have open conversations during the vigil. He also extended his appreciation to Laurier Brantford for organizing the healing events.
“It gives me hope that we are in the right direction and we are in good community,” said Imam Tarek.
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