Saint-Michel’s Muslim community is honouring those who have served Canada with a special ceremony.
This is the ninth year the Muslims for Remembrance campaign has taken place across the country, but Friday’s event in the neighborhood of Saint-Michel was the first one held in Montreal.
The solemn ceremony was organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. It’s being celebrated now because it’s National Aboriginal Veterans Day, a memorial day observed in Canada in recognition of Indigenous contributions to military service.
Those in attendance reflected on the sacrifices made, played the Canadian anthem and read the poem “In Flanders Fields”.
They also observed two minutes of silence for those who lost their lives.
Organizers say it’s important to take the time to do so, as loving their country is an essential part of their Muslim faith
“And to do these ceremonies to show our love to those ones who sacrificed their lives for our country,” said the mosque’s Imam, Nabil Mirza.
Veterans from the area were invited to the event, including Michael Benigno, the chief of the Saint-Jean Ambulance Division.