Azzeddine Soufiane was a prominent member of the Quebec City Muslim community, a local businessman, and community leader. Born around 1960, he immigrated to Canada and became a dual citizen. Soufiane studied geology and worked in that field before transitioning to business ownership. He ran a halal grocery store and butchery in the Sainte-Foy neighborhood of Quebec City alongside his wife, Najat Naanaa. The couple built a successful family business that served the local immigrant community, and Soufiane was recognized for his generosity, leadership, and support of new arrivals and those in need, often extending help without expectation of return.

On January 29, 2017, Soufiane was tragically killed in the Quebec City mosque shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City. At 57 years old, he was one of six victims killed in the anti-Muslim terrorist attack carried out by Alexandre Bissonnette. Eyewitness accounts described Soufiane as a hero who charged at the gunman in an attempt to disarm him, potentially saving the lives of others in the mosque. He left behind his widow and three children, who were left to mourn a father remembered for his bravery and compassion.

Soufiane's death drew widespread attention to issues of Islamophobia in Canada, and he was honored in community memorials and legal proceedings. His actions during the attack were highlighted in Bissonnette's trial, where friends and family testified to his selfless character. As a geologist turned entrepreneur, Soufiane exemplified the contributions of immigrants to Canadian society, and his legacy continues through tributes from organizations like the Islamic Cultural Centre.