Canadian Muslim women hand out roses as a thank-you for Toronto’s support

A group of Muslim women in Toronto, Canada handed out a thousand roses in Nathan Phillips Square

A group of Muslim women in Toronto, Canada handed out a thousand roses in Nathan Phillips Square as a thank you for the support Toronto people have shown since the Paris attacks, each bearing a note saying: “From a Muslim who loves and cares for all of humanity.”
Organizer Dr. Yusra Ahmad said the recent spate of terrorist attacks that culminated in Paris, and the local fallout involving violent acts against women in Toronto, motivated the initiative.
It also coincided with the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, on the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre of 14 women at the École Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989.
Ahmad said the red flowers carry an overarching theme of intimacy and kindness, and that 1,000 roses are 1,000 opportunities to honour the human capacity for connection and resilience.