Vaughan hosts vigil for children killed in Peshawar

YorkRegion.com
Dec. 20, 2014
By Teresa Latchford

Residents from York Region remembered the victims of Peshawar during a vigil last night.

Five community leaders - Tim Iqbal, Hashim Taqvi, Jamil Muhammad, Ishaq Muhammad and Amir Quershi - from across York Region and the Greater Toronto Area organized the service at the Consulate General of Pakistan on Keele Street in Vaughan.

Militants from the Pakistani Taliban attacked an army-run school in Peshawar earlier this week, leaving 132 children and nine adults dead. Survivors were treated in hospitals and the attackers were killed, according to media reports.

Photographs of the school auditorium floor smeared with blood, walls riddled with bullet holes and impromptu vigils posted on news outlets and social media show the horrific events of the attack.

“It’s difficult to say in words how to condemn such a heinous attack on innocent people,” local vigil participant Brett McDermott said. “Anyone with any sense of respect for human life should recognize the events that occurred in Peshawar for what they were, take a stand against them and work for the prevention of such events in the future.”

People from different ethnic backgrounds, faiths and communities across the GTA united as one through a moment of silence, remarks provided by various dignitaries and prayers led by leaders from the Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh communities.

“We are uniting to express our collective grief and to show solidarity for the victims,” McDermott added. “People want to participate because it’s important to condemn such actions and express support for the victims.”