Members of Saskatoon’s Muslim community showed support and solidarity with France following Friday’s deadly attacks in Paris.
A couple dozen members of local Muslim communities gathered at the corner of 20th Street and 1st Avenue South Sunday afternoon. Cars honked in support as the group held signs that read United Against Terrorism and Peace for Paris.
“It was much more difficult sitting at home and not doing anything to express how we feel,” Farwah Adnan said. “I just can’t think of what they (those affected by the attacks) must be going through at this moment right now, and that is why we just had to come out.”
Sami Jasem expressed concern over terrorism groups using Islam as a justification for their actions.
“We believe Islam is a region of peace. Any religious person cannot kill people without any reason,” he said. “These are killers. They are not human really, and they should not be treated as a human being.”
The rallies are reminiscent of similar gatherings held by the Muslim community following last year’s shooting on Parliament Hill by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau and January’s attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris.
Friday’s attacks left 129 people dead and hundreds injured.