Communities across Ontario will march and hold vigils to commemorate the life of a murdered Muslim family in what police and prosecutors call a hate-motivated attack almost a year ago in London, Ont.
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 he jumped a curb while they were out on a Sunday. to walk. Police believe the driver deliberately attacked the family because of their Muslim faith.
Her young son was injured, but he survived. Relatives have asked that the child’s name not be mentioned so that he can have a life as normal as possible.
In a statement issued on behalf of the family, Uman Afzaal, Salman’s brother, said that they are still struggling with what happened, but that they are looking to the future with the help of the community.
“Losing three generations of our family was a catastrophe, but our community came together and has given us hope and strength. It is with this strength that we have been able to move forward,” the statement said.
The accused in the attack faces charges of murder and related terrorism. Twelve weeks have been set aside for his trial, which is scheduled to begin in September 2023,
“This attack must be condemned”
Reyhana Patel, spokeswoman for Islamic Relief Canada (IRC), says the anniversary build-up has been the starting point for many Muslim communities. He says the organization worked for weeks through June 6 to organize 11 walks and vigils across the country and encourage people to plan their own events.
“We are remembering the Afzaal family, but we also want people to come out and show their support because Islamophobia is real and this attack must be condemned,” Patel said.
Patel says the organization is still listening to reports of Muslims saying they are facing Islamophobia, such as verbal abuse, hijab scams or going through job promotions because of their faith.
Yumna Afzaal, 15, Madiha Salman, 44, Talat Afzaal, 74, and Salman Afzaal, 46, from left to right, were out walking on Sunday evening when they were hit by a truck in which the Police say it was an attack motivated by anti – Muslim hatred. (Submitted by the Afzaal family)
“We need to work on this not only as a community, but also … we need proper government intervention.”
The group, along with the National Council for Canadian Muslims, will travel to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 6 to call for further progress on the federal government’s National Hate Action Plan. Both groups also want more movement on the political recommendations they issued after the London attack.
At the provincial level, Patel says they are waiting to see if Bill 86, Our London Family Law, passed in response to the tragedy, is passed.
A focus on protection
Last year, the Toronto Islamic Center wrote and delivered cards to the Afzaal family, the Muslim mosque in London and the community at large as a way to show solidarity, says the center’s operations manager and Imam Shaffni Nalir .
“This year, to be honest, in particular, we may be trying to protect our own mosque a little more,” Nalir said.
He says he is concerned about possible attacks on the mosque or 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 be mindful of their surroundings and when they go out alone.
“This is 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 timely, you know, but this is not the first incident.”
Vigils, walks in 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 march to the Muslim mosque in London. Venue: Oakridge Secondary School, 1040 Oxford St W. Date and time: June 5 at 1 p.m.
Event: Vigil in honor of our London familyLocation: Hyde Park Rd intersection. & South Carriage Rd., London, Ont Time and Date: June 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Event: Online Surveillance for the Kingston CommunityLocation: Kingston Islamic Society Facebook Page Time: June 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Event: National Solidarity Walk and Vigil Across CanadaLocation: Celebration Square, 300 City Center Dr., Mississauga, Ont. Time: June 6 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Event: Walk of Silent ReflectionLocation: Parliament Hill (Centennial Flame) to Major’s Hill Park, Ottawa, Ont. Time: June 6 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Event: Vigil in honor of our London family and report on hatred of the Waterloo (Muslim Women’s Coalition) presentation Location: Family Center, located at 65 Hanson Ave., Kitchener, Ont. Time: June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. I am
Patel encourages people to donate, wear green and purple ribbons as an official symbol of remembrance of the Afzaal family, and talk to their families about the dangers of Islamophobia.
“We don’t want people to forget what happened.”