Advertisement

Messages of love, support placed around site of Sherwood Park mosque

The mosque is being constructed at Broadway Crescent and Broadview Road. Julia Wong/Global News

A group of Sherwood Park residents is putting messages of love and support around the site of the area’s first mosque.

Organizer Lisa Slywka said she created “Show your love, fill the fence” in response to the shooting last Sunday at a Quebec City mosque that killed six people.

READ MORE: Thousands attend Montreal funeral for 3 of Quebec City mosque shooting victims

“When Sunday occurred…we were all completely shocked and devastated,” she said.

Slywka, who is a communications instructor at NAIT, said she has a diverse student body and wanted to send messages of inclusivity to the area’s Muslim community.

“I would like people to act. I would like people to move from their discomfort at being, feeling [like] they’re powerless. Even the smallest action can lead to something big,” she said.
Story continues below advertisement

An impromptu gathering of parents and children took place Sunday afternoon at Broadway Crescent and Broadview Road, where the mosque is being constructed.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

RELATED: Quebec City mosque reopens six days after deadly shooting

Posters and signs were strung along the fence with messages reading “I’m sorry for what happened, but there are people in the world who are. You’re not alone” and “You have family, friend[s] and people who care about you here in Sherwood Park.”

“I think in the immediate [future] that all the Muslim community here in Sherwood Park needs to know that we as Sherwood Parkers, we support them. We welcome them. We include them as people we shop with, people we go swimming with or whatever,” she said.

Story continues below advertisement

Slywka is asking residents to put their notes and messages up by February 14, Valentine’s Day.

“I thought about the fact that this is a great opportunity for people to show their love of anything – be it romantic or platonic,” she said.

Sponsored content

AdChoices