Harper says Canadian Muslims condemning attacks on soldiers very important

WATCH ABOVE: Prime Minister Harper speaks about Canada’s contribution to the global fight against terrorism.

TORONTO – The Prime Minister says Canadian Muslim community’s condemnation of the recent attacks that killed two soldiers is of “great importance.”

Stephen Harper says non-Muslim Canadians want to hear from their Muslim neighbours that Islam is “a force for peace in our country and not something to be feared.”

Harper was addressing a gathering of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in north Toronto and says he appreciates their categorical condemnation of the two separate October attacks that rattled the country.

Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot dead by a gunman in Ottawa who then went on to open fire in the halls of Parliament before being killed.

Warrant Officer Patrick Vincent died when he and another soldier were run down in Quebec by a man harbouring jihadist sympathies.

Harper says he understands that members of the Muslim community need to hear that they are embraced by Canada.