Letter of Gratitude from the Imam

On Sunday January 29, 2017, a lone gunman shot and killed six of our Muslim brothers while they prayed in the evening. Earlier that same day, Imam Ismail Nur, spoke at our Sunday service in lieu of the sermon. Members of St. John the Divine we outraged at the killing, and sent messages of support to the Imam including this one from our rector.

Here is the text of the Imam’s response to us. 

Greetings all

I would like to thank every single one of you from the bottom of my heart for the tremendous support the Muslim community here in Victoria has received the past few days. It truly has been overwhelming.

When the news first broke about the shooting the initial emotion we felt was shock, however that quickly changed into fear. Many members from our congregation asked me if we were safe here in Victoria. Could the same horrible terrorist attacks happen here at our own Masjid?

Before I had a chance to respond the support and solidarity started flooding in. The Canada people gave us the biggest reassurance we could have ever asked for. We were wanted and we were loved.

So on behalf of the Muslim community here in Victoria and the Mosque, we wish to express what words really can’t express. And we want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone.

Islamophobia is real. But we can overcome it together.

Sincerely

Imam Ismail

Masjid al-Iman

A copy of the letter can be downloaded below.

The recording of the Imam's speech to St. John's that morning is available here.