Brock University today (Jan. 30) issued a statement of grief and solidarity with Muslims after a gunman opened fire at a Quebec City mosque on Sunday, leaving at least six people dead and others seriously injured.

Tom Traves, the University’s Interim President, called the massacre at the Centre Culturel Isalmique de Quebec “an affront to every Canadian.”

“We are devastated by the shooting,” said Traves. “The University stands firmly in solidarity with the Muslim community in the wake of the terrorist attack in Ste-Foy. Brock will not tolerate Islamophobia, and we are committed to supporting Brock community members who may experience anxiety or harassment as a result of these current events.”

University officials also said they will hold a private forum on Tuesday to support Muslim students and faculty from countries whose residents have been banned from the United States.

Late on Friday, President Donald Trump triggered confusion and angry protests in America and globally when he abruptly ordered immediate travel bans against citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen. Brock has about 70 students from those countries, with several more expected to arrive in the spring, as are two visiting scholars from Iran.

Jamie Mandigo, Brock’s Vice-Provost for Enrolment Management and International, said Tuesday’s gathering is meant to reassure those members of the Brock community who are feeling victimized by the developments of recent days. Officials have also invited the Muslim Adjunct Chaplain for Brock.

“We have students are from all affected countries who are here as permanent residents or on study visas,” said Mandigo. “We continue to support them, and are reaching out to reassure them and address any concerns or question they might have.”

He said it will be a private gathering where people far from home can talk freely about their concerns, otherwise “they might not feel comfortable speaking in a crowd of people they don’t know.”

Downtown memorial services

University officials and members of the Brock community are also expected to attend special events on Tuesday that have been organized to commemorate the victims of the Quebec shooting.

At 5:30 p.m., a candlelight vigil organized by the Niagara Anti-Racism Coalition will be held on the steps of St. Catharines City Hall.

Then at 6:30 p.m. at the Masjid Al Noor Mosque, on Geneva Street near Welland Avenue, there will be a vigil in honour of the Quebec City victims.

The University’s flags will be flown at half mast Tuesday and Wednesday in honour of the Quebec victims.