QUEBEC CITY: Six people were killed and eight were injured in a shooting at a Quebec City mosque during evening prayers. Authorities reported two arrests in what Canada’s prime minister called an act of terrorism.
Quebec provincial police spokeswoman Christine Coulombe said early Monday that some of the wounded were gravely injured. She said the dead were approximately 35 to 70 years of age. Thirty-nine people were unharmed. More than 50 were at the mosque at the time of the attack.
One suspect was arrested at the scene and another nearby in d’Orleans, Quebec. Police did not release their names.
“The Muslim community was the target of this murderous attack,” Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said at an early morning press conference Monday.
Couillard said there will be solidarity rallies across Quebec on Monday and says the province’s people will all be together to express horror.
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume appeared visibly shaken.
“No person should have to pay with their life, for their race, their color, their sexual orientation or their religious beliefs,” Labeaume said.
Quebec City Islamic Cultural Center President Mohamed Yangui said the shooting in the provincial capital happened in the men’s section of the mosque. He said he wasn’t at the center when the attack occurred, but he got some details from people on the scene. “We are sad for the families,” he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Couillard both characterized the attack as a terrorist act, which came amid heightened tensions worldwide over US President Donald Trump’s travel ban on certain Muslim countries.
“We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a center of worship and refuge,” Trudeau said in a statement. “It is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence. Diversity is our strength, and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear.
“Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric, and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, cities and country,” he said. “Canadian law enforcement agencies will protect the rights of all Canadians, and will make every effort to apprehend the perpetrators of this act and all acts of intolerance.”
Quebec City police spokesman Constable Pierre Poirier said two suspects were arrested. Police said the mosque had been evacuated and the situation was under control.
Trudeau had earlier reacted to Trump’s visa ban for people from some Muslim-majority countries by tweeting Saturday: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada.”
Trudeau also posted a picture of him greeting a Syrian child at Toronto’s airport in late 2015. Trudeau oversaw the arrival of more than 39,000 Syrian refugees soon after he was elected.
The mayor of Gatineau, Quebec, near Canada’s capital of Ottawa, said there would be an increased police presence at mosques around his city following the attack.
The New York Police Department said it was stepping up patrols at mosques and other houses of worship.
“NYPD is providing additional protection for mosques in the city. All New Yorkers should be vigilant. If you see something, say something,” New York City Mayor Bill Blasio said on Twitter.
“Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque. We must stand together,” Blasio said in another tweet.
Canada’s public safety minister, Ralph Goodale, said on Twitter Sunday that he was deeply saddened by the loss of life. His office said no motive had been confirmed.
In the summer of 2016 a pig’s head was left on the doorstep of the Quebec Islamic Cultural Center. The incident occurred in the middle of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Practicing Muslims do not eat pork.
Francois Deschamps, an organizer of a refugee-support group in Quebec City, said the motive for Sunday’s attack is unknown, but right-wing groups are very organized in Quebec City, distribute fliers at the university and plaster stickers around town.
Deschamps said he has received death threats after starting a refugee support group on Facebook and people have posted his address online.
“I’m not very surprised about the event,” Deschamps said.
Canada is generally very welcoming toward immigrants and all religions, but it’s less so in the French-speaking province of Quebec.
![]()
6 killed in Canada mosque attack; Trudeau calls it an act of terrorism
6 killed in Canada mosque attack; Trudeau calls it an act of terrorism
Fuming Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland envoy
- Trump's newly appointed special envoy Jeff Landry vows to make Greenland 'part of the US'
- Danish foreign minister Lokke Rasmussen 'deeply angered' by the move, warns Washington to respect Denmark’s sovereignty
COPENHAGEN: Denmark summoned the US ambassador on Monday after US President Donald Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland who immediately vowed to make the Danish autonomous territory “a part of the US.”
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has repeatedly said the United States “needs” the resource-rich Arctic island for security reasons and has refused to rule out using force to secure it.
On Sunday, Trump appointed Louisiana governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Monday he was “deeply angered” by the move and warned Washington to respect Denmark’s sovereignty.
The European Union later offered its “full solidarity” to Denmark.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said Landry understood “how essential Greenland is to our national security, and will strongly advance our country’s interests for the safety, security, and survival of our allies, and indeed, the world.”
Landry responded directly to Trump in a post on X: “It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.”
The Danish foreign minister told TV2 television the appointment and statements were “totally unacceptable” and, several hours later, said the US ambassador had been called up to the ministry for an explanation.
“We summoned the American ambassador to the foreign ministry today for a meeting, together with the Greenlandic representative, where we very clearly drew a red line and also asked for an explanation,” Lokke Rasmussen told public broadcaster DR in an interview.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a joint statement: “You cannot annex another country.
“We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity.”
In a Facebook post addressed to Greenlanders, Nielsen said the appointment of a US special envoy had not changed anything for Greenlanders.
“We will determine our future ourselves. Greenland is our country,” he wrote, adding: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.”
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa stressed on social media that territorial integrity and sovereignty were “fundamental principles of international law.”
“These principles are essential not only for the European Union but for nations around the world. We stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” they wrote on X.
- ‘Show respect’ -
Most of Greenland’s 57,000 people want to become independent from Denmark but do not wish to become part of the United States, according to an opinion poll in January.
Leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly insisted that the vast island is not for sale and that it will decide its own future.
Lokke Rasmussen said the appointment confirmed continued US interest in Greenland.
“However, we insist that everyone — including the US — must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he said in a statement emailed to AFP.
The US argues Greenland, located between North America and Europe, can give it an economic edge over its rivals in the Arctic region.
The island has untapped rare earth minerals and could be a vital player as the polar ice melts and new shipping routes emerge.
Greenland’s location also puts it on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the United States.
The US has its Pituffik military base in Greenland and opened a consulate on the island in June 2020.
In August, Denmark summoned the US charge d’affaires after at least three US officials close to Trump were seen in Greenland’s capital Nuuk trying to find out how people felt about deepening US ties.
Trump’s determination to take over Greenland has stunned Denmark, a fellow member of NATO that has fought alongside the US in its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In January, Copenhagen announced a $2.0-billion plan to boost its military presence in the Arctic region.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has repeatedly said the United States “needs” the resource-rich Arctic island for security reasons and has refused to rule out using force to secure it.
On Sunday, Trump appointed Louisiana governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Monday he was “deeply angered” by the move and warned Washington to respect Denmark’s sovereignty.
The European Union later offered its “full solidarity” to Denmark.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said Landry understood “how essential Greenland is to our national security, and will strongly advance our country’s interests for the safety, security, and survival of our allies, and indeed, the world.”
Landry responded directly to Trump in a post on X: “It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.”
The Danish foreign minister told TV2 television the appointment and statements were “totally unacceptable” and, several hours later, said the US ambassador had been called up to the ministry for an explanation.
“We summoned the American ambassador to the foreign ministry today for a meeting, together with the Greenlandic representative, where we very clearly drew a red line and also asked for an explanation,” Lokke Rasmussen told public broadcaster DR in an interview.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a joint statement: “You cannot annex another country.
“We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity.”
In a Facebook post addressed to Greenlanders, Nielsen said the appointment of a US special envoy had not changed anything for Greenlanders.
“We will determine our future ourselves. Greenland is our country,” he wrote, adding: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.”
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa stressed on social media that territorial integrity and sovereignty were “fundamental principles of international law.”
“These principles are essential not only for the European Union but for nations around the world. We stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” they wrote on X.
- ‘Show respect’ -
Most of Greenland’s 57,000 people want to become independent from Denmark but do not wish to become part of the United States, according to an opinion poll in January.
Leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly insisted that the vast island is not for sale and that it will decide its own future.
Lokke Rasmussen said the appointment confirmed continued US interest in Greenland.
“However, we insist that everyone — including the US — must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he said in a statement emailed to AFP.
The US argues Greenland, located between North America and Europe, can give it an economic edge over its rivals in the Arctic region.
The island has untapped rare earth minerals and could be a vital player as the polar ice melts and new shipping routes emerge.
Greenland’s location also puts it on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the United States.
The US has its Pituffik military base in Greenland and opened a consulate on the island in June 2020.
In August, Denmark summoned the US charge d’affaires after at least three US officials close to Trump were seen in Greenland’s capital Nuuk trying to find out how people felt about deepening US ties.
Trump’s determination to take over Greenland has stunned Denmark, a fellow member of NATO that has fought alongside the US in its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In January, Copenhagen announced a $2.0-billion plan to boost its military presence in the Arctic region.
Latest updates
© 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.