QUEBEC: Muslims in Quebec City are finally going to have a plot of land for the burial of their beloved ones after the city has conditionally accepted an offer from the Islamic community to buy land near a local cemetery.
The 6,000 square-meter parcel of land, which sits on a former snow dump next to the Notre-Dame-de-Belmont cemetery and close to the Quebec Islamic Cultural Center, is being sold by the city for about $270,000 (SR1 million) plus taxes. It is expected to be ready this fall.
The good news comes just weeks after Saint-Apollinaire, a town of around 6,000 southwest of Quebec City, rejected a zoning change proposal during a referendum that would have allowed for a Muslim cemetery to be built there.
Tradition dictates that burial should take place, preferably within 24 hours, after a Muslim person dies. The cremation and burying of ashes is forbidden in the Muslim faith.
Quebec City’s Islamic community has been looking for a cemetery for two decades, but made a renewed push after they completed the payment for the city’s main mosque in 2011.
A gunman killed six men and injured 19 others in the main prayer hall of the mosque during a shooting in January.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a message over Twitter, congratulated the Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume for taking action, calling the move “an important and courageous step for dignity and decency.”
Quebec Muslims to finally get own cemetery for burials
Quebec Muslims to finally get own cemetery for burials
Essex man takes on charity endurance challenge for children in Gaza
- Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual Sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 2,287 miles
LONDON: A man in England has launched a demanding charity challenge to raise funds for children affected by the war in Gaza.
Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 3,680 km running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing.
He is raising money for Medical Aid for Palestinians, a UK-based humanitarian organization that provides healthcare to Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied territories.
“I have felt helpless day after day seeing images of countless children in Gaza with broken bodies and missing limbs and witnessing their unbearable suffering,” Watson said on his JustGiving page.
“I have been inspired by the courage of those who took part in the global sumud flotilla and all of the activists who have put their lives and freedom at risk supporting the Palestinian people and so I am raising funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
“My challenge is to complete a virtual sumud from Harlow, where I live, to Gaza. Running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing I will cover the 2,287 miles as quickly as I can.
“I am an unfit, overweight 63-year-old, so I’m not going to break any records, but the Arabic word Sumud means steadfastness and perseverance, and I will give it my all.
Watson added: “I hope to be joined by people I love and admire along the way, so please support my fundraiser. Every donation, however small, will help save the lives of Palestinians.”
As of Jan. 3, his fundraising effort had reached 12 per cent of its £5,000 ($6,733) target.
The war in Gaza began after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which local health authorities say has resulted in the deaths of more than 71,000 Palestinians, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and a severe humanitarian crisis.
International aid agencies have repeatedly said that children are among the most affected, facing injury, displacement, malnutrition and limited access to medical care.
Watson said he was inspired by activists and humanitarian efforts supporting Palestinians and hopes his challenge can make a small contribution to saving lives.
