While some Montreal mosques opened their doors Friday, others held a vigil at the site of a recent act of vandalism.

People gathered in Pointe-Saint-Charles Friday afternoon outside of Khadijah Masjid Islamic Centre in an act of unity and support.

Eggs were thrown at the building and the glass door was smashed Thursday as its members attended the funerals of three of six men slain in a shooting in Quebec City.

Police are investigating the vandalism as a hate crime.

“Sad. It's very sad. It's a house of worship, house of God. There are many ways to see God and so I'm here to stand up for these people who are our friends. It's our community,” said local resident Wilma Cobb.

The incident has shocked many in the neighbourhood.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Simone Toutant Balasz. “I just don't quite understand what's going on. I don't know who these people are and how they could be so full of hate.”

Members of the mosque say they’re now afraid.

“I was supposed to bring my kids to the mosque but I didn't because I'm scared. Because if I die, it’s no problem, but I don't want to have any problem with my kids,” said Kayoum Bouyan.

After they gathered outside the mosque in vigil, they were welcomed inside.

Meantime, a mosque in Saint-Michel also opened its doors to the public as a way to build understanding and for the community to see how Muslims worship.

“For the Muslims to open their mosque is to open their house. It's a house of worship where they come and have communion with God,” said Khalid Butt, spokesperson for Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Canada.

The public sharing of grief has been a turning point for the Muslim community in Quebec.

More than ever, they say they feel seen and heard.

“It's wonderful to see all that solidarity and messages of love we are seeing. I hope it doesn't get reduced in the coming weeks when the emotions are down and we are back to our daily routines and the politicians are back to their politics. I hope it continues. It's the opportunity to wake up and realize there is a problem and the solution is to work together,” said mosque member Sultan Choudhry.

The ‘visit a mosque’ open house is an annual event but given what's happened this week, organizers say more needs to be done to engage the public and break down some of the fear or misunderstandings people may have toward the Muslim faith.

“Many people have never met a Muslim or talked to a Muslim. We feel by talking to Muslims and engaging with them maybe those negative perceptions they might have heard or seen online, maybe within society, they'll go away,” said Imam Luqman Ahmed.

“Islam is going to stay and Muslims are going to stay,” said Choudhry. “So we have to find ways to work together and live harmoniously here.”