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A gun attack on a Canadian mosque which has left six people dead has been condemned as an act of terror against Muslims, shocking people in a country not known for mass shootings.

Witnesses said two masked gunmen burst into the mosque in Quebec City and started firing at dozens of men as they attended Sunday night prayers.

Police are questioning two men who were arrested following the massacre, which also left more than a dozen people injured.

People around the world have offered their condolences to the victims and their families, and expressed solidarity with the hashtag #JeSuisQuebec.

Here is what is known so far about the Quebec attack:

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: EPA)

Children as young as three were at the mosque for Sunday night prayers

More than 50 people were inside the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre, including children as young as three years old, when the gunmen stormed the building in the Sainte-Foy area of Quebec City.

Sunday night prayers were taking place, with men and some children on the ground floor, and women and more children upstairs.

It was just before 8pm local time when the gunmen entered the men's section of the mosque and began shooting.

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(Image: EPA)

Gunmen shouted "Allahu Akbar" as massacre was carried out

A witness who was nearly shot described the terror as two masked gunmen with Quebecois accents fired at worshippers.

The witness told French-language Radio-Canada : "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.

"There were even kids. There was even a three-year-old who was with his father."

Victims were shot as they tried to stop the gunmen

Hamid Nadji told the Montreal Gazette that he spoke to friends who were inside at the time of the shooting and they described a scene of “carnage”.

He said: "From what we heard over the phone, one person had a weapon discharged in his face because he had wanted to jump on the man to stop him. And the three others died because they wanted to catch the man.”

He added: "Many of the people who lived through this fled their home countries to avoid such situations, because they lived through trauma and didn’t want the same for their children.”

He was told that a gunman went into the mosque and then left to reload his firearm, then came back a second and third time.

(Image: REUTERS)

Winesses describe terrifying scenes as victims are shot

Terrified worshippers scrambled for cover as gunfire erupted.

The mosque's president, Mohamed Yangui, who was not inside at the time, said he got frantic calls from people at evening prayers.

After the mass shooting the two suspects fled - with one being arrested nearby - and police cordoned off a large area in the neighbourhood.

Heavily-armed officers stormed the building to find the victims and as part of their hunt for the suspects.

Footage showed a number of wounded victims being removed from the mosque by paramedics.

(Image: REUTERS)

Six killed and nearly 20 wounded

At a news conference following the attack Quebec's provincial police force confirmed six people were killed and eight were injured.

The victims range in age from around 35 to 70.

Later, a hospital that is treating the victims said five people were in a critical condition and at least a dozen others had been treated for minor injuries.

Sgt. Christine Coulombe of Surete du Quebec said 39 worshippers escaped the mosque without injuries.

(Image: AFP)

Who are the suspects?

Police arrested two men in the aftermath - one near the mosque and another near a bridge in Quebec City's east end, more than 10 miles away.

The 27-year-old man arrested near the bridge was in possession of two AK 47-style assault rifles and at least one handgun, Le Soleil reported.

He reportedly called police and gave them his location, telling them he "felt bad" about his alleged involvement in the massacre.

The men are Quebec City residents who attend university in the city of Laval, outside Montreal, and one is of Moroccan origin, reported Radio-Canada.

Police carried out raids at their homes following the arrests.

Massacre condemned as "a terrorist attack on Muslims"

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences to the shooting victims and their families, saying he reacted with "tremendous shock, sadness and anger".

He added: "We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge.

"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.

"Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric, and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, cities and country.

"Canadian law enforcement agencies will protect the rights of all Canadians, and will make every effort to apprehend the perpetrators of this act and all acts of intolerance."

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Motive for gun attack has not been revealed

Police told reporters it was too early to determine any motive for the violence, as they prepare to question the two men.

In a bid to assure the public that there was no wider threat a spokesperson said police do not believe there are additional suspects.

An anti-terror task force is working on the case to establish a motive and potential links to terror groups.

(Image: Facebook/Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec) (Image: Facebook/Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec)

Mosque had been targeted in Islamophobic attacks before

Mr Yangui told Canadian media that the mosque had not received any threats recently.

But it had been targeted in Islamophobic attacks in the past.

In June last year, a pig's head was left on the mosque's doorstep.

It was wrapped in paper with a note reading "Bonne [sic] appetit".

A few weeks later a letter reading "What is the most serious: a pig's head or a genocide" was distributed in the neighbourhood.

Security increased at mosques in New York

In response to Sunday night's attack, police in cities such as Montreal and New York stationed officers around mosques to provide additional protection as a precaution.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted: "Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque. We must stand together."

He added: "NYPD is providing additional protection for mosques in the city. All New Yorkers should be vigilant. If you see something, say something."

(Image: AFP)

World offers condolences to victims of mosque massacre

After the shooting people around the world offered condolences, using the hashtag #JeSuisQuebec.

Yet as social media provided a forum to express solidarity, it was also used to spread fake reports or unconfirmed details of the tragedy.

A number of social media posts containing names of the alleged gunmen and reasons for the attack were dismissed as fake.

So were claims on Twitter that the attack had been carried out by white supremacists or Syrian refugees.

Attack occurred days after Trump's immigration ban

On Saturday, Trudeau made a forceful attack on US President Donald Trump's recent ban on refugees and immigrants from seven countries.

He made it clear Canada would continue to welcome immigrants.

Trudeau tweeted: "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength"

The National Council of Canadian Muslims condemned Sunday night's attack, saying Islamophobia is on the rise in Canada.

It also said there are "legitimate fears" that Trump's so-called "Muslim ban" will lead to more hate and acts of violence.