A Muslim celebration in a Montreal park is criticized by citizens, in particular because of its early hour.
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The Islamic gathering to mark Eid al-Adha must take place Sunday or Monday early in the morning at Parc des Hirondelles, in the borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville.
The event officially begins at 7 a.m., but begins with a prayer that must be said around 6:45 a.m., in the heart of a residential neighborhood.
Several Internet users decried the holding of this religious celebration on social networks, affirming that religious demonstrations should not be able to take place in public spaces. However, the gathering obtained the blessing of the City of Montreal, which granted a permit so that it could take place.
In an interview on QUB Radio, the mayor of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville district, Émilie Thuillier, tried to reassure citizens who are opposed to this event.
“I can hear very clearly the people who would like us not to have religion in the parks. It’s really a thought we have,” she said.
Ms. Thuillier confirmed that the holding of events of this type was limited by the municipal administration. However, she mentioned that Parc des Hirondelles also hosts a Christian mass every year in August.
“If we allow an open-air mass for one religion, we must also allow it for another religion,” maintains the mayor.
“It’s not something we want to see more of. It’s really in a very circumscribed way,” she adds.
- Listen to the interview with the mayor of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville district on the microphone of Benoit Dutrizac, on QUB Radio
The Eid prayer took place last year and everything went well, underlines the mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville.
“People were still very careful. They are very aware (of this issue) and they are people who live in the borough or in the neighboring borough. So, these are people who are in society and who understand very well that this is not the time, at 7 a.m., to make a lot of noise,” mentions the elected official.
“As mayor, I receive more complaints about events that end very late in the evening with loud music until 11 p.m.,” she adds.
Although she understands the arguments of citizens opposed to this gathering, Émilie Thuillier wishes to prevent the debate from falling into Islamophobia and racism.
“I invite people to really think about that. Do we really want to remove all religion from the streets and parks? Let’s have the discussion, but for all religions (and that is) not to discriminate one religion in relation to another,” she says.
