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By Kate Bouey
Vernon Prayers For New Zealand Shooting

Vernon Prayers For New Zealand Shooting Victims

Mar 15, 2019 | 11:49 AM

Prayers at Vernon’s mosque were being said at noon Friday for the victims in the mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand.

At least 49 people at two mosques were killed during the shootings which were alleged to have been carried out by a 28-year-old Australian man regarded as white extremist.

In Vernon, mosque director Hafiz Mohammad recalled the mosque shooting in Quebec two years ago when six people were killed.

He said that at the time, the local imam and Christian ministers came together to discuss what had happened and the mosque was opened to members of the public who had questions about Islam.

This time, he said no such gathering is planned.

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“All we can say is…no matter what religion you are, all religions teach us to be good,” Mohammad said. “All we can do is to pray for the (victims), for their families.”

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, who was in Kelowna Friday, denounced Islamaphobia and right-wing extremist violence — stating everyone should be able to practice their religion peacefully and safely.
(with files from The Canadian Press)
by Kate Bouey

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