London police fanned out to Islamic sites around the city Monday in the wake of a massacre at a Quebec City mosque.

There was a police presence at city mosques, Islamic schools and a Muslim resource centre Monday morning, less than a day after Sunday night’s shooting rampage at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec mosque left six dead and 19 others injured.

“It’s in moments like that that we increase our vigilance and stand guard over this community and watch over every single person within this community,” Deputy police Chief Daryl Longworth told a large crowd gathered outside the London Muslim Mosque.

Around 300 people descended on the Oxford Street mosque for a noon-hour rally denouncing the killings and celebrating the city’s multi-faith acceptance.

Longworth cautioned that police alone can’t stop attacks like the one in Quebec City.

“This is the responsibilty of every citizen in this community . . . to keep this community safe, to stay vigilant,” he said.

Imam Abd Alfatah Twakkal said heightened security precautions have been taken at the London Muslim Mosque following Sunday’s shooting.

“We do have security systems in place, as well as we’re working with the local authorities to help with this respect,” said Twakkal, adding he doesn’t want to create an atmosphere of alarm.

“We encourage our congregation not to live in a state of fear . . . We understand that with the show of support and solidarity we’re in good hands under the eyes of God,” he said.

Leaders from the Islamic, Christian and Jewish faiths addressed the crowd and led prayers at Monday’s rally, which was organized overnight.

Motorists driving down Oxford Street honked to show their support as participants, some of them carrying signs, cheered and waved.

London Mayor Matt Brown also spoke at the gathering.

“A terrible, selfish, hateful thing happened in Quebec yesterday, but that doesn’t define who we are. This is what defines who were are,” Brown said, praising the city’s faith-based leaders for sending a message of tolerance to the world.

The rally ended with an impromptu singing of the national anthem before many from the crowd moved into the mosque to pray. Dozens of non-Muslims lined the perimeter of the mosque’s prayer room to observe the Islamic ritual, performed five times a day.

Similar demonstrations were held Monday in communities across Canada, including one on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, as Quebec police announced only one of the two men they’d arrested remained in custody.

A vigil for the Quebec City shooting victims is being held Wednesday at Victoria Park in London. A Facebook page for the event already lists more than 500 people attending.

dcarruthers@postmedia.com

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IF YOU GO

What: Quebec City solidarity rally

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Victoria Park, London