By Dylana Milobar

Kamloops Muslim community gathering together after recent violence

Mar 15, 2019 | 4:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — Locally, the Muslim community in Kamloops is shocked by news of the New Zealand massacre (March 15) which claimed the lives of 49 people. 

The Kamloops Islamic Association says there have not been any violent hate crimes against their members here, but seeing widespread hate and death in other countries leaves them feeling sorrowful and uneasy.

Umme Adam, a director with the Kamloops Islamic Association, says it’s hard to hear about mass tragedies around the world, including the one in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“It’s heartbreaking to hear that in any community, and then to a community that I feel tied to, it’s just — there’s no word for it.”

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Those attending Friday prayer at the Ayesha Mosque in Kamloops this afternoon were shaken by the news of those killed yesterday.

“Initially the numbers were 9 when I went to sleep, and when I woke up the numbers were 49.”

Adam says the Muslim community as a whole is still reeling from the deadly 2017 shooting at a Quebec mosque.

“We were healing and moving forward, and then for something like this to happen in another developed country is shocking to us.”

While no violent acts against the Kamloops Muslim community have occured, RCMP were present outside of the Knutsford-based mosque today to provide some extra peace of mind for attendees. 

Adam says after events like this one, naturally members can be shaken up before coming to prayer. 

“So I think there’s a little bit of hesitation, a little bit of gut uncomfortability I would say,” she explains. “But for the most part we know that whenever calamity hits us, we believe as Muslims that we should increase in piety, and increase in our connection to our god, and one of the ways that we do that is by coming to prayer.”

With this recent tragedy, Adam says the Muslim community will continue to correct misinformation to combat hate-fueled comments or acts. 

“We do get a lot of inquiries from people who do say not so positive things, and so we try to keep our focus on education,” she says, “because I think that is where the key to building understanding is — to educate people.”

Moving forward, the Kamloops Islamic Association says they will support and encourage others to publicly practice their faith. 

“Get out there, and be yourself, and show the beauty of Islam,” Adam urges other Muslims. “Show your colleagues, your neighbours. The sermon today was about loving your neighbour.”