Officials say the attack on a mosque Quebec City that killed six people and left at least eight more wounded was an act of terrorism.  Two people are under arrest, although the shooter might still be at large.

"We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge," said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.  "While authorities are still investigating and details continue to be confirmed, it is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence.  Diversity is our strength, and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear."

This happened during Sunday evening prayers attended by at least 40 people at the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Center in the French-speaking eastern Canadian city.  Local newspaper Le Soleil reports that one of the suspects was carrying an AK-47 assault rifle and one was aged 27.  The women and most of the children were on the upper level, while men were praying on the ground floor where the gunmen entered.

"It seemed to me that they had a Quebecois accent.  They started to fire, and as they shot they yelled, 'Allahu akbar!'  The bullets hit people that were praying.  People who were praying lost their lives.  A bullet passed right over my head," said a witness, who asked to remain anonymous.  "There were even kids.  There was even a three-year-old who was with his father."

The Quebec City Islamic Cultural Center has been targerted with vandalism and hate crimes in the past.  Last June, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a pig's head was left on the doorstep of the mosque.  But a mosque official thought things were getting better.

"We have a very good relationship with the neighbours, with the community," said Mohamed Yangui, the mosque's president.  "There's mutual respect - and now today we have this dramatic event."

One member sees rising Islamophobia and wonders if he'd be safer going back to Morocco:  "We are not safe here," said Mohammed Oudghiri.