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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 19, 2015 | 4 Oakville joins global condemnation of terror in Paris by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Oakville council joined the global condemnation of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut Monday. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton brought forward a motion at council, condemning the attacks and expressing the Town's concern and sympathy for the victims. The motion was unanimously sanctioned by all councillors present. "Clearly everybody was shocked by these events and they absolutely need to be condemned," said Ward 6 Councillor Tom Adams. Terrorist attacks carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) killed 43 people and wounded 239 others in Beirut, Lebanon on Nov. 12. The same terrorist group claimed responsibility for numerous attacks that took place last Friday, at restaurants, a soccer stadium and concert hall in Paris, France, which killed 129 people and wounded 352 others. While security forces around the globe went on increased levels of alert, so too are local police remaining vigilant for backlash crimes. In the wake of a mosque being set on fire in Peterborough over the weekend, Halton police DIAMOND DIAMOND Voted Best Accountant by Oakville Beaver Readers for 9 Consecutive Years CPA, CA, MBA, B. Eng Ricky Wong W For more information please check our website www.rickywong.ca · Accounting · Auditing · Taxation 1200 Speers Rd., Unit 32, Oakville, Ont. L6L 2X4 (905) 845 - 1408 | Fax (905) 845 - 5931 spokesperson Sgt. Chantal Corner said Monday , police are guarding against any targeting of faith communities. "We've coordinated with our District Community Mobilization Units and what we are getting them to do is make contact with our cultural and religious centres, places of worship and groups within those districts just to offer reassurance," she said. "We have also coordinated some extra patrols in those areas just to make them feel safer. We don't have any immediate threats to any of these centres, groups, businesses or places of worship in the Region of Halton, but this is a more proactive response." While there has been no specific threat to Halton, Corner said police are asking residents to be vigilant and to contact police if they see anything suspicious. The terrorist attacks in Paris were not far from the minds of Oakville MP John Oliver and Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff as they were officially sworn in as MPs Saturday. "I, along with everyone in Oakville and Canada and around the world, was so saddened by what happened the night before," said Damoff. "It was a horrible tragedy... It was certainly on everyone's mind, there's no doubt about it. It was all over the news the night before and all day Saturday." Oliver said his sympathies are with the people of Paris, especially those who lost loved ones during the attack. Damoff said she did not see any heightened security in Ottawa during her swearing-in, but noted increased security is not always visible to the public. A statement Oakville's AlFalah Islamic Centre website states the Islamic Circle of Canada (ICNA) and the centre itself mourns and condemns the "horrific loss of life" in the Paris terrorist attacks. "As Muslims, we reaffirm our belief, as emphasized in the Quran, that whoever kills one life, it is as if they have killed all of humanity, and whoever saves even one life, it is as if they have saved all of humanity," reads the statement. The group called on Muslims in Paris and across France not to fear and hide, but to step forward and assist in all efforts to help the injured, find the lost, and comfort those suffering. "We are distressed to learn the politically-motivated extremists claiming responsibility for the attack are justifying their deeds in the name of our faith," reads a statement on the Oakville site from ICNA Secretary General Arif Jahangiri. "The Muslim community condemns all forms of barbarity, murder, and attacks on innocent people in any part of the world and ask authorities to take very strict action against those terrorists. We call for peace, healing, and justice for the victims, as well as an end to violence against the innocent in any and every part of the world. We pray for light, guidance, and hope at this time of great darkness." Call today for your personal tour. We'd love to have you join us! · Enjoy our fresh home cooked meals- never catered · Daily housekeeping including linen and laundry service · Our spacious sun filled facility · Nursing staff 24 hours a day for your peace of mind Retirement Living 380 Sherin Drive, Oakville, Ontario 905-847-1413 www.vistamere.ca At Its Best