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Sunday, January 29, 2017

Six dead in 'barbaric' mosque shooting in Canada

Six people have been killed after gunmen opened fire in a mosque in Quebec City, Canada, during evening prayers.

Police said a further eight people were wounded in the attack which the mosque's president, Mohamed Yangui, described as "barbaric"

A witness said up to three gunmen started shooting inside the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre, where around 50 people had gathered.

Another witness said a heavily armed police tactical squad was seen entering the mosque.

Those killed were said to be aged between 35 and 70 years old.

Some of the wounded suffered serious injuries and have been taken to different hospitals across the city.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement: "We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge. 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 added: "We will make every effort to apprehend the perpetrators of this act and all acts of intolerance."

Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume said: "No person should have to pay with their life for their race, their colour, their sexual orientation or their religious beliefs."

Mr Yangui, who was not inside the mosque when the shooting happened, said he got frantic calls from people at evening prayers.

"We are sad for the families," he said.

Police said two people had been arrested - one at the scene, and another in nearby d'Orleans, Quebec.

Zebida Bendjeddou, who left the mosque earlier on Sunday evening, said the centre had received threats.

"In June, they'd put a pig's head in front of the mosque. But we thought: 'Oh, they're isolated events'. We didn't take it seriously. But tonight, those isolated events, they take on a different scope," she said.

The shooting comes amid protests worldwide over President Donald Trump's travel ban on refugees and citizens from seven mainly Muslim countries from entering the US.

Police in New York are increasing patrols at mosques in the city following the Quebex shooting.

"Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque. We must stand together," tweeted New York City Mayor Bill Blasio.

"To my fellow New Yorkers who are Muslim: New York City will protect you. The NYPD will protect you. We will fight all hatred and bias."

He has attacked Mr Trump's ban as a move which "runs contrary to the values of our city, and the values of the United States".

Incidents of Islamophobia have increased in Quebec in recent years amid a political debate over banning the niqab, or Muslim face covering.

In 2013 police launched an investigation after a mosque in the Saguenay region of Quebec was splattered with what was believed to be pig blood.

In the neighbouring province of Ontario, a mosque was set on fire in 2015, a day after an attack by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris.

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