On Thursday morning, a somber gathering took place at a mosque in Brossard, Quebec, as family, friends, and community members paid their respects and prayed for a 15-year-old boy who was fatally shot by Longueuil police. Approximately 1,300 individuals, including men, women, and youth, entered the mosque in a solemn manner, with many dressed in black attire and others donning white veils. Emotions ran high, with tears flowing freely as mourners mourned the loss of Nooran Rezayi.
One distraught teenager cried out for “Justice for Nooran” before entering the Ismaili Jamatkhana, while Zahrah Khademi shared heartfelt memories of her second cousin, describing him as vibrant and full of potential. Despite the shock and unanswered questions surrounding the tragic incident, the focus of the gathering was to celebrate the life Nooran had lived and bid him a final farewell.
Nooran’s grieving parents declined to speak to the media, choosing instead to grieve privately and honor their son’s memory. Inside the mosque, loved ones and those affected by the tragedy filled the room with sorrow, some clutching prayer beads and others struggling to contain their emotions. The community performed the Muslim funeral prayer, known as salat al-janaza, and offered prayers of invocation, known as du’as, for Nooran’s peaceful departure.
As mourners recited prayers and verses from the Qur’an, they carried Nooran’s coffin to its final resting place at the Saint-Hubert cemetery. Among those present was Raihan Ansari, a 14-year-old who grew up alongside Nooran, expressing his disbelief at the loss of someone so young. Mustapha Tamani, providing support to grieving youths, emphasized the need for proper care and understanding in the aftermath of such a tragic event.
The community struggled to come to terms with the loss, seeking clarity and justice following the fatal shooting. The Quebec police watchdog, the BEI, revealed initial details of the police operation that led to Nooran’s death, stating that officers responded to a report of armed individuals in a public place. The BEI confirmed the recovery of only one firearm at the scene, belonging to the officer involved in the shooting.
Eyewitnesses recounted a swift and fatal encounter between the police and Nooran, leading to his tragic death. Questions arose regarding the use of lethal force on an unarmed teenager, with family and friends affirming that he was only carrying his school bag at the time of the shooting. The investigation continues, with multiple witnesses interviewed and video evidence being analyzed to shed light on the circumstances of the incident.