Security at mosques was increased on Friday in several Canadian cities after the attack on two Muslim places of worship in New Zealand, an attack that had a special resonance in Canada two years after a massacre in a Quebec City mosque.

At the entrance to the Al-Omah Al-Islamiah’s mosque in Montreal city centre, an unidentified New Zealander had left a bunch of flowers.

The accompanying note read: "All my love to you. I'm sorry you weren't safe in my home. New Zealand stands with you."

Some of those inside the mosque on Friday questioned the usefulness of increasing security at places of worship.

"The police could stay 24 hours a day, but the person who does his thing is going to do it. Whether it's with security or without," said Monjitu, a volunteer at the mosque.

He added that everyone was deeply saddened by the events in Christchurch.

Several worshippers said on Friday that despite the attacks in New Zealand, they continued to feel safe in Canada.

"The people here are not racist compared to other countries. We're at peace here, ” said Amar, who did not give his last name.

Security around mosques was increased on Friday in several Canadian cities after the attack on two Muslim places of worship in New Zealand, an attack that had a special resonance in Canada two years after a massacre in a Quebec City mosque.

Images of Al-Omah Al-Islamiah’s mosque in Montreal city centre and reaction from Muslims praying there.

Dopesheet:
- WS of Al-Omah Al-Islamiah’s mosque in Montreal city centre.
- WS of Al-Omah Al-Islamiah’s mosque in Montreal city centre.
- WS of Al-Omah Al-Islamiah’s mosque in Montreal city centre.
- WS of Al-Omah Al-Islamiah’s mosque in Montreal city centre.
- WS of flowers brought in the morning by some neighbours
- CU of a note given with the flower
- MS of Monjitu, volunteer working at the mosque, standing next to the flowers
- CS of Monjitu standing next to the flowers​
- WS of the praying room
- WS of the praying room
- CU of a sign in Arabic
- WS of a sign in Arabic

SOUNDBITE 1 - Mohamed (English, man)
“It reminds me not only what happened two years ago. It reminds me of what happens constantly. People are going to school and children are not coming back. People are going to mosques and not coming back.

SOUNDBITE 2 - Monjitu, volunteer working at the mosque (French, man)
“Increased security... what is that supposed to do? What is that going to do? The person who is going to do his thing… The proof is there: the guy he has already been there, several times. There's security, but there's nothing to stop him. The police could stay 24 hours a day, but the person who does his thing is going to do it. Whether it's with security or without. We know very well here that we are safe in Quebec. I know the police are here. “

FRENCH: “Augmenter la sécurité… qu’est ce que ça donner? Qu’est-ce que ça va donner? La personne qui va faire son acte… La preuve est là: le gars il a déjà été là-bas, plusieurs fois. Il y a la sécurité mais il y a rien qui va l’arrêter. La police pourrait rester 24h/24 mais la personne qui va faire son coup, elle va le faire. Que ce soit avec de la sécurité ou pas de sécurité. On sait très bien ici qu’on est en sécurité au Québec. Je sais que la Police ils sont là.”

SOUNDBITE 3 - Monjitu, volunteer working at the mosque (French, man)
“Most of the people who are here, they are saddened, saddened by the scene. The person (the terrorist) filmed the scene, which means that he is delighted to see that. Even in the Vietnam War there wasn't this... how do you call it... atrocity!”

FRENCH: “La plupart des gens qui sont là, ils sont attristés, attristés de la scène. C’est à dire que la personne (le terroriste) il a filmé la scène, c’est à dire qu’il est enchanté de voir ça. Même dans la guerre du Vietnam il n’y a pas eu cette… comment tu dis… atrocité!”

SOUNDBITE 4 - Monjitu, volunteer working at the mosque (French, man)
“In any case, we ask Allah, we ask the government to take a fair decision so that it doesn't happen again.”

FRENCH: “En tout cas on demande à Allah, on demande au gouvernement qu’ils prenne une décision équitable pour que ça ne recommence pas.”

SOUNDBITE 5 - Amar (French, man):
“I always say that we are at peace here in Canada. We are at peace and we are more respected, whether at work or on the street. And the people here are not racist compared to other countries. We're at peace here.”

FRENCH: “Je dis toujours qu’on est en paix ici au Canada. On est en paix puis on est mieux respecté, que ce soit au travail ou dans la rue. Et puis les gens ici ils ne sont pas racistes par rapport à d’autres pays. On est en paix ici. “