By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Sherbrooke residents gathered in a show of solidarity for Morocco and Libya outside of Sherbrooke’s town hall Sept. 17, both countries being the recent victims of natural disasters killing thousands. The event was organized primarily by Sherbrooke’s Actions Interculturelles; Its Director General Mohamed Soulima headed a list of politicians, religious, and related organizational leaders that addressed the gathering concerning the recent disasters and the need for financial aid. The Record attended to get the details.
The event began officially with part of the Koran being chanted in Arabic as an introduction. Afterwards, a member of the crowd asked for the passage’s significance. She was told the spirit of the passage was a request for God to guide our hearts onto the right road.
Soulima then asked everyone to share a minute of silence. Afterwards, he thanked the City of Sherbrooke for allowing them to gather in front of its town hall. Catherine Boileau, Municipal Councillor for Brompton was there to represent the Sherbrooke Mayor, who could not attend.
Boileau addressed the gathering. She said she did not have the words to describe how many who have a connection to Morocco and Libya must be feeling right now. She emphasized how hard it is to imagine the difficulties and suffering they are going through, but that the citizens of Sherbrooke are with them. She assured them that they will come through this stronger than before.
University of Sherbrooke professor Abdelilah Hamdache, a representative of the Institut du Monde Arabe et Musulman de l’Estrie (IMAM) also spoke at the event. He acknowledged it was a sad occasion, but noted that they gather for happy occasions often as well. He said unhappy events happen in life; life is a mixture of the good and the bad.
