Dutch Foreign Min. condemns Canada mosque attack; at least 6 killed
At least six people were killed and eight others injured in an attack on a mosque during evening prayer in the Canadian city of Quebec on Sunday evening. Dutch Minister Bert Koenders of Foreign Affairs condemns the attack and expressed his sympathies to the victims and their loved ones.
"I condemn the terrorist attack in Canada in the strongest terms", the Dutch Minister said on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Twitter account. "I sympathize with the victims of the attack on a mosque in Canada. Discrimination, exclusion and hate are never acceptable."
#Koenders: 'Leef mee met slachtoffers van aanslag op moskee in Canada. Discriminatie, uitsluiting en haat zijn nooit acceptabel.'
— Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (@MinBZ) January 30, 2017
About 40 people were attending evening prayer when gunmen opened fire on the mosque, according to news wire ANP. Two suspects were arrested. There were reports of a third attacker, but the local authorities invalidated those reports. So far no further details were released about the attackers.
Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau called the shooting a "terrorist attack on Muslims". "While authorities are still investigating and details continue to be confirmed, it is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence. Diversity is our strength, and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear", he said in a statement. On Twitter he said: "Tonight Canadians grieve for those killed in a cowardly attack on a mosque in Quebec City. My thoughts are with victims and their families."
Tonight, Canadians grieve for those killed in a cowardly attack on a mosque in Quebec City. My thoughts are with victims & their families.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 30, 2017
So far nothing is known about the motive for the attack. Though it might be related to American president Donald Trump implementing a ban on entry for asylum seekers and people from seven Muslim countries. The Canadian Prime Minister responded to the ban with a photo of him speaking to a young asylum seeker, with the hashtag #WelcomeToCanada. "To those fleeing persecution, terror and war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength", he said.
#WelcomeToCanada pic.twitter.com/47edRsHLJ5
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017
To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017
Trump's ban resulted in numerous protests around the world, including at Schiphol Airport. Last weekend over a million people around the world participated in protests and demonstrations against the new American President's stance on women and the LGBT community.