Ontario communities will march and hold vigils to honor the lives of a Muslim family killed in what police and prosecutors call a hate-motivated attack nearly a year ago in London, Ontario.
On June 6, 2021, Yumna Afzaal, 15, her mother and father, Madiha Salman, 44, and Salman Afzaal, 46, and her grandmother, Talat Afzaal, 74, were killed when a vehicle jumped over. curb while they were out for Sunday. walk. Police believe the driver deliberately targeted the family because of their Muslim faith.
Their youngest son was wounded but survived. Family members asked the boy not to be named so that he could lead as ordinary a life as possible.
In a statement issued on behalf of the family, Umar Afzaal, Salman’s brother, said they continue to fight what has happened but are looking to the future with the help of the community.
“Losing three generations of our family was a disaster, but our community came together and gave us hope and strength. With this strength, we were able to move forward, “the statement said.
The accused in the attack is facing charges of murder and related charges of terrorism. Twelve weeks have been set for the trial against him, which is due to begin in September 2023.
“This attack must be condemned”
Reyhana Patel, a spokeswoman for Islamic Relief Canada (IRC), said the anniversary gathering was a priority for many in Muslim communities. She says the organization has been working for weeks until June 6 to organize 11 walks and vigils across the country and encourage people to plan their own events.
“We remember Afzaal’s family, but we also want people to come out to show support that Islamophobia is real and this attack must be condemned,” Patel said.
Patel says the organization still hears reports from Muslims who say they face Islamophobia, such as verbal insults, breaking hijabs or bypassing job promotions because of their faith.
Yumna Afzaal, 15, Madiha Salman, 44, Talat Afzaal, 74, and Salman Afzaal, 46, from left to right, went for an evening walk on Sunday when they were run over by a truck in an attack motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. (Sent by Afzaal family)
“We need to work on this not only as a community, but also … we need appropriate government intervention.
The group, along with the National Council for Canadian Muslims, will go to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 6 to seek further progress on the Federal Government’s National Hate Action Plan. Both groups also want more movement on the political recommendations they released after the London attack.
In the province of Patel says they are waiting to see if Bill 86, the Law on our London Family, submitted in response to the tragedy, will be passed.
Focus on protection
Last year, the Toronto Islamic Center wrote and delivered postcards to the Afzaal family, the London Muslim Mosque and the wider community as a way to show solidarity, said the center’s operational manager and imam, Shafni Nalir.
“This year, however, to be honest, in particular, we are actually trying to defend our own mosque a little more,” Nalir said.
He says he is worried about possible attacks on the mosque or the community. He says that while Canada is generally a safe country and encourages community members to participate in upcoming vigils and walks, he advises them to monitor their surroundings when they go out alone.
“It’s something people shouldn’t have done before, but the world is different,” Nalir said.
“If this was the first incident, we could say it was a single incident, you know, but this is not the first incident.
Vigils, walks from Ontario
Ontario residents can join these walks on June 5 and 6:
Location: Thomson Memorial Park, 1005 Brimley Rd., Scarborough, Ont. Time and date: June 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Event: Program, speeches followed by a march to the Muslim Mosque in London Location: Oakridge High School, 1040 Oxford St W. Time and date: 5 June at 13:00.
Event: Vigil Honoring Our London FamilyLocation: the intersection of Hyde Park Rd. & South Carriage Rd., London, Ont Time and date: June 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Event: Kingston Online Community Vigil Location: on the Kingston Islamic Society Facebook page Time: June 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Event: National Solidarity and Vigil Walk in Canada Location: Celebration Square, 300 City Center Dr., Mississauga, Ont. Time: June 6 between 18:00 and 19:00
Event: Walk of Silent Reflection Location: Parliament Hill (Centennial Flame) near Major’s Hill Park, Ottawa, Ont. Time: June 6 between 19:15 and 20:30
Event: A vigil in honor of our London family and a report of hatred at the opening of Waterloo (Coalition of Muslim Women) Location: Family Center, located at 65 Hanson Ave., Kitchener, Ont. Time: June 6 between 9:00 am and 11:30 am
Patel encourages people to donate, wear green and purple ribbons as an official symbol of the Afzaal family’s memory, and talk to their families about the dangers of Islamophobia.
“We don’t want people to forget what happened.”
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