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‘Paralyzing sense of fear’: Canadians recall shock, sadness of Quebec mosque shooting

Click to play video: 'Quebec sees rise in hate crimes against Muslims'
Quebec sees rise in hate crimes against Muslims
watch: It's been a year since a gunman walked into a mosque in Quebec City, and opened fire on worshippers. In the days after, there was an outpouring of support for the Muslim community. But that didn't last. Amanda Jelowicki reports – Jan 29, 2018

Azzeddine Soufiane. Khaled Belkacemi. Aboubaker Thabti. Abdelkrim Hassane. Mamadou Tanou Barry. Ibrahima Barry.

READ MORE: Vigil to mark one year anniversary of Quebec City mosque shooting

They are the six Muslim men who were shot and killed inside a Quebec City mosque on Jan. 29, 2017. Nineteen others were injured. Alexandre Bissonnette has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder, and five counts of attempted murder.

WATCH: Remembering victims of the Quebec City mosque shooting

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Remembering victims of the Quebec City mosque shooting

One year later, online campaign #RememberJan29 is asking Canadians to remember where they were when they first heard of the shooting.

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The hope is to strike a larger conversation, Toronto-based activist Syed Hussan, who co-created the campaign with artist Aliya Pabani, told Global News.

WATCH: Community raises money to support paralyzed Quebec mosque shooting victim

Click to play video: 'Community raises money to support paralyzed Quebec mosque shooting victim'
Community raises money to support paralyzed Quebec mosque shooting victim

“There has not been enough conversation, analysis and reckoning with the Quebec mosque massacre,” he said.

The hashtag and a related Facebook group are helping drive the conversation on social media, with numerous posts recalling the Sunday night shooting.

READ MORE: Quebec City mosque says president’s car deliberately set on fire

“I was studying at school when the shooting happened. A paralyzing sense of fear overcame me,” one Facebook user named Naima Raza shared.

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“It felt like time had stopped and I was frozen, observing everything that was going on around me. Trouble sleeping, trouble focusing.”

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Bilan Arte, a Facebook user from Manitoba, said she was walking home from work when she heard about the news.

WATCH: Media allowed first look inside Quebec mosque where deadly attack took place

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Media allowed first look inside Quebec mosque where deadly attack took place

“The first people I wanted to call was my family — specifically my brothers who went to masjid (mosque) almost every night in suburban Ottawa,” she wrote. “I needed to see them, hold them, know that they were okay because it could have just as easily been them.”

These are some other responses that were posted:

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https://twitter.com/druojajay/status/954785905436516355

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Hussan says the responses are diverse, with many emotions ranging from love, hope and unity, but also rage, confusion and hurt.

He hopes the campaign gives people who are grieving an outlet to express these complex emotions, but also begin a deeper analysis of what happened and is still happening in Canada.

READ MORE: Man arrested after Montreal mosque vandalized

“We need a broader conversation on the mosque shooting and on Islamophobia which includes Canadian participation in wars that primarily include Muslims, including arms sales, immigration policy, anti-terrorism laws as well as hate crimes here against Muslims.”

The activist also hopes politicians will take part in this analysis, which he says is a more worthwhile way for them to mark the shooting’s anniversary as opposed to tweets or memorials.

WATCH: Justin Trudeau gives speech on anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting

Click to play video: 'Justin Trudeau remembers anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting'
Justin Trudeau remembers anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting

Several Canadian politicians have issued statements marking the anniversary, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

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“This was a terrorist attack against all Canadians meant to test our resolve and weaken our values. It failed,” a press release from the prime minister read.

“In the wake of the shooting, a solidarity movement formed across the country as Canadians united to condemn the attack and counter hatred with hope.”

“A year later, our message has not changed: We are stronger together. No matter our faith or where we were born, we are equal members of this country. We will not let an act of intolerance divide us and make any Canadian feel less at home.”

WATCH: Funeral for Quebec City mosque shooting victims

Click to play video: 'Funeral for Quebec City mosque shooting victims'
Funeral for Quebec City mosque shooting victims

Trudeau is expected to take part in a memorial outside the mosque, along with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, Monday evening.

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The anniversary is also being commemorated by Muslims across the country. The National Council of Canadian Muslims is holding vigils across the country Monday evening.

READ MORE: Muslim group asks for day of remembrance on 1st anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting

The organization issued a statement urging Canadians of all background to attend the events.

“By joining together to mark the first anniversary of the Quebec City mosque massacre, we reiterate our unity against hate, bigotry and Islamophobia,” it read.

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