On January 29, 2017, six innocent lives were taken in the horrific and senseless Québec City Mosque Attack. The National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia is a day when we all take a moment to remember the lives lost and stand together against Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms.
As an institution of higher education, we have a responsibility to uphold human rights and work together to create a more just and equitable world. This means we must identify and address discrimination and hatred and build a university community where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected.
I know that many of U of G’s Muslim community are feeling particularly vulnerable as the violence continues in the Middle East. Today reminds us of how important it is to support one another and work hard to build an inclusive and equitable U of G.
As you take a moment to mourn and remember the six lives lost seven years ago, I encourage you to engage in your own equity, diversity, and inclusion education. To understand more about standing against all forms of hate, check out our Principles of Belonging: Anti-Oppression & Anti-Racism training module; our free online eBook, Building Community: Introduction to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; and our upcoming our Human Rights module.
No matter our backgrounds or experiences, we all have a role in building a more inclusive and welcoming environment. Let’s continue to work together to address Islamophobia and hatred and create a strong U of G community where everyone feels they belong.
Sincerely,
Indira Naidoo-Harris
Associate Vice-President, Diversity and Human Rights