'No place for such acts': Vaughan Muslim group tackles Islamophobia on anniversary of London family attack

Deadly attack on Muslim family -- called an act of hate and terrorism by authorities -- sparked calls to fight Islamophobia

Thestar.com
June 8, 2022
Yoyo Yan

No candles, no flowers, but a Muslim group in York Region commemorated the one-year anniversary of the tragic London family attack by sending a strong message: There is no room for Islamophobia.

From London to Ottawa, local residents and members of the Muslim community gathered at multiple events across the province on June 6 to remember the Afzaal family, four of whom were killed in what prosecutors have called a hate-motivated attack exactly one year ago.

"It was a horrendous act which was done," said Rizwana Amla, co-founder of Muslim Women of Vaughan. "We want to create awareness regarding Islamophobia. We don't have any place for such acts."

Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna and her 74-year-old grandmother, Talat Afzaal, died after police say they were deliberately hit by a truck while out for an evening walk. The family's nine-year-old son was hurt, but survived.

A 21-year-old man faces four counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the truck attack against the Afzaal family, which sent shock waves across the country and has been the catalyst for repeated calls to fight Islamophobia. Prosecutors are alleging that the deaths were an act of terrorism.

"We all stand together and advocate against Islamophobia and we want to stop all kinds of racism in the city of Vaughan," said Hina Zahid, co-founder of Muslim Women of Vaughan.

The non-profit organization invited Muslim community members to the Vellore Village Community Center and joined York Regional Police for a workshop on hate-crime prevention and personal safety defence.

"Together we are more. Our strength is in our differences," said Sgt. Mina Rahravan of YRP's diversity, equity and inclusion unit. "York Region is home to all of our diverse communities from across the globe."