By Haley Rose

Community honours victims of Quebec City attack

Feb 3, 2017 | 4:35 PM

Medicine Hat, AB — Students, staff and community residents gathered at the Medicine Hat College this morning for a vigil to honour the recent events at the Quebec City mosque.

Chaplin Kristy Reimers- Loader said the college has a very diverse student population and it’s important to recognize that.

“We want to honor our Muslim brothers and sisters and at the same time we want to highlight to the rest of the student body we’re here for them too,” she said.

James Dillman was one of the students that attended the service.

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He said the fact that the college works to support and include everyone is great.

“I believe that human life is to be of valued and the fact that we can do something like this at the college, openly, is really a great thing,” Dillman said.

Since the shooting in Quebec earlier this week, Medicine Hat has reached out to show support in many ways.

STAND Medicine Hat is one group looking to reach out.

They hope their message about spreading support, acceptance, no hate or fear and diversity will engage everyone with the march they are planning.

“If we practice these things, there would be no fighting and violence. It’s up to us to change this,” Shelly Ewing, one of the coordinators of the group, said.

Ewing said she hopes everything that has happened this week has caused people to be more open minded.

“Violence is not going to solve the problem so we need to come together, reach out to each other and realize that Muslim people are living with us in this community,” Ewing said. “They are doing jobs, going to school, educating themselves… they have children. They all have the same hopes and dreams that we do. They only want to live a peaceful life.”

A prayer service was also held later this afternoon at the local mosque.

Shalla Shahnaryar was one of many who attended the service.

She said to see all the community support has been very touching.

“As a Muslim it’s been wonderful. This is our home and I think for everyone to come out and show their love, support and respect has been wonderful,” Shahnaryar said.

The STAND march will take place on Feb. 12 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in Veterans park.