The head of the World Council of Churches has expressed his sympathy after a gunman killed six people and injured more than 15 others at the Grand Mosque in Quebec City, saying there was “a particular evil in any attack on people at a place of worship”.
The shooting took place Sunday night when more than 50 people had reportedly gathered for evening prayers. Police have arrested a suspect.
Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said in a statement that in the face of such “brutality, the human family, all people of faith and of good will, must stand together to recommit to respecting and caring for one another, to protecting one another, and to preventing such violence”.
“There is a particular evil in any attack on people at a place of worship. My sympathies go to those who have been bereaved or wounded in this shocking attack.”
He said that “any resort to violence in the name of religion or motivated by religion is particularly unacceptable and dangerous”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the incident as a “terrorist attack” against Muslims and said Canada stood by the more than a million Muslims who live in Canada. “We are with you,” he said. “Thirty-six million hearts are breaking with yours. Know that we value you…”
