Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne visits Mosque in Toronto to comfort Muslims

“There should be no fear, ever, of worshipping your god, our god, here in Ontario or in Canada,” Wynne told dozens of men after noon prayers at the Masjid mosque and continued,

"We hope that this can't happen in Canada, can't happen in our open society, but we can't be smug. We have to remain vigilant."

"Sometimes those words are used in a trivial way but I absolutely believe that what makes us strong in this country, in this province in this city, is that we are different, and because we can understand each other and we learn to live together, then we have a different view of the world that is stronger because of our shared understanding," Metronews.ca reports said.

Wynne spoke with Premier of Québec, Philippe Couillard about the tragic attack at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec and added that the hearts and thoughts of all Ontarians were with the people of Québec City.

Wynne’s news release stated “I am deeply disturbed by this cowardly act of terror. Except for our Indigenous people, all of us have come here from somewhere else. That diversity is our strength, and no one should ever have to fear worshipping their God. No matter what is happening elsewhere in the world, I want to reiterate that here in Ontario our doors are open to immigrants and refugees from all countries, all races, all ethnicities and all faiths,” and added that we cannot take this for granted.

She said that we need to stay vigilant in our fight against intolerance and hate, and renew our commitment to learn from each other.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said in a statement that she was heartbroken to hear about the attack.

"Today, we stand in solidarity and mourning with Muslim-Canadians, and all those grieving in Quebec," she wrote. "New Democrats condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the friends and families of the victims."

Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown tweeted Sunday night that he was "horrified to learn of the unspeakable and shocking attack."

Toronto Mayor John Tory asked citizens to come together to support Muslims and Canadians of all faiths and backgrounds.

"We are the most diverse city in the world and while the safety and security of our nation is always fist and foremost, we will continue our proud legacy of welcoming people from around the world, especially in their time of need and in their pursuit of new opportunities," he said.

Wynne’s news release continued, “Together we can build a province where people of all religions can live, work and worship in harmony. Ontario's economic and social strength is built on our tradition of openness. Our faith, tolerance and diversity make our entire province stronger. Today especially, I am proud of that.”

The mosque’s imam, Wael Shehab, said the premier’s hour-long visit to greet worshippers on their way in and speak to them afterwards, was a key symbol on a sad day.

“It’s very important for everyone here to know and to understand that we Canadians, together, are united against hatred, against violence,” Shehab told reporters.

“As Muslims, we know it’s unfair to blame and unjust to blame communities for the mistakes and the crimes of some individuals . . . . Violence has no religion. Terrorism has no religion,” star.com news reports said.

The mosque’s director said officials will consider asking police for more protection or will hire more security, to add to the closed-circuit cameras already in place, but noted there’s only so much that can be done.

(Reported by Asha Bajaj, Photograph of Kathleen Wynne)