Dutch Foreign Min. condemns Canada mosque attack; at least 6 killed

By Janene Pieters on January 30, 2017 - 10:23
Bert_Koenders_2015_(1)
Bert Koenders (Photo: Rijksoverheid.nl/Wikimedia Commons). Bert Koenders (Photo: Rijksoverheid.nl/Wikimedia Commons)

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."

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."

So far nothing is known about the motive for the attack. Though it might be related to American president Donald Trump 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 . "To those fleeing persecution, terror and war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength", he said. 

Trump's ban resulted in numerous protests around the world, . Last weekend over a million people around the world against the new American President's stance on women and the LGBT community. 

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