Nine years after a devastating mosque attack, a paralyzed survivor speaks out about the impact of Quebec's secularism laws. Aymen Derbali, who was shot multiple times at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City, shares his personal journey of recovery and his concerns about the ongoing Islamophobia in the province.
On the night of January 29, 2017, Derbali was among the six men killed and 19 injured when a gunman opened fire at his mosque. Despite being paralyzed from the chest down, he has made remarkable progress. He can now move his fingers, make his own coffee, and even grab his laptop, all small victories in his recovery process.
One of the bullets that struck him remains in his spine, too dangerous to remove, but he considers himself fortunate to have survived. Derbali's bravery and resilience are evident as he rushed towards the shooter, attempting to destabilize him, and was shot several times.
'I thought that this is the end,' he recalled. 'When I woke up in the hospital ... in the beginning, I thought the hospital was heaven.'
Today, Derbali is dedicated to his family, community, and advocacy, especially in the face of rising Islamophobia in Quebec. He believes that the secularism laws introduced by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government have undermined efforts to foster understanding and tolerance.
'Islamophobic laws target Muslims,' he asserts. 'I have witnessed the opposite of what I expected after the attack - more Islamophobia and less tolerance.'
Derbali points to the recent legislation, such as Bill 9 and Bill 21, as examples of these 'Islamophobic laws.' These laws limit public prayers, ban religious symbols in certain settings, and restrict the rights of public school teachers and government officials. He questions the necessity and fairness of these laws, especially regarding the freedom to wear religious attire.
The effects of these laws on his community are tangible, impacting not only the survivors but also the widows and children of the victims. Derbali and other community leaders, like Mohamed Labidi, president of the Islamic centre, warn that these laws encourage xenophobia and racism, and some community members are considering leaving the province.
As the province grapples with these controversial laws, Derbali and his community continue to advocate for connection, compassion, and tolerance. They organize commemorations, such as the ninth anniversary event at Édifice Andrée-P.-Boucher, to promote togetherness and dialogue. Despite the challenges, they remain hopeful, emphasizing the importance of human connection and the fight against Islamophobia.
'We are human beings, and if we don't care about other human beings, we lose our humanity,' Derbali said. 'These laws do not help in fighting Islamophobia, but we don’t lose hope. We continue.'
The community's resilience and determination to combat Islamophobia are a testament to their strength and commitment to a more inclusive and tolerant Quebec.
