TRENTON, Canada

Wednesday marked the 8th anniversary of the Quebec City mosque massacre and events were held leading up to and on the date, but they were not well attended.

“Unfortunately this year, there was not much enthusiasm from our Quebec brothers who did not answer the call of our mosque open house and open door conferences,” Centre culturel islamique de Quebec President Mohamed Labidi told The Canadian Press. “It seems like people are starting to forget.”

On Jan. 29, 2017, people were at prayers at the mosque when a gunman attacked, killing six and injuring 19. The massacre horrified the country.

And while attendance at commemorative events may have been muted this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who spoke to the families of the victims during the weekend, said the country remains committed to ending Islamophobia.

“Today, we remember those whose lives were tragically taken at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec and we reaffirm our commitment to standing with Muslim communities in Canada in the face of racism, hate, and discrimination,” Trudeau said in a post on his website. “Together, we will continue to build a safe, welcoming, and prosperous country for everyone.”

But subsequent acts of hate against Muslims have continued to plague the country, including the murder of four members of a Muslim family In London, Ontario in 2021, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) said in a statement Wednesday. The organization issued another call for action.

“Speak to your friends, your co-workers, your communities,” it said. “Tell them what is still happening. Let them know that Islamophobia is not some distant shadow but a presence that must be confronted.”

The non-profit Canadian-Muslim Vote echoed the message.

“Let us come together to remember the victims and to continue to strive for justice, understanding, and unity,” it said in a statement. “Through education, outreach, and solidarity, we can work towards a Canada where everyone feels safe and respected.”