Coalition of Muslim Women host memorial vigil for family killed in London, Ont., 2 years ago

Today marks two years since an attack in London, Ont., killed four members of a Muslim family, and the Coalition of Muslim Women (CMW) will host a vigil at Kitchener city hall tonight tohonour them.

The Afzaal family was out walking the evening of June 6, 2021, when a truck was driven into them,killing four members in what police allegewas an act of anti-Muslim hate.

"We don't want those lives to be lost in vain," said Sarah Shafiq, CMW's director of advocacy, research and youth programming.

"It's a day full of sorrow and griefand so this really helps. The vigil, coming together it really helps in that processing that grief and hurt that we still feel."

The interfaith vigil, to be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will includereligious leaders from different faith communities.

Snapshot of Hate report

Members of the coalition will releasetheirsecond annual Snapshot of Hate report during the vigil. Itincludesinput from people in Waterloo region ontheir experience with discrimination and hate.

"Discrimination is certainly the highestreported form of hatein our system," Shafiq said. "And we don't just collect anti-Muslim hate. It is anyone. Racism andxenophobia is also documented as well."

Shafiq said there's been a will to channelthe pain from the Afzaal family's tragedy into action.

"At the national level we had the summit, we had the special representative on combating Islamophobia.We had municipalities who also passed motions condemning Islamophobia and vowing action, including our local municipalities. Region ofWaterloo took a really brave action and funded the anti-hate service that we have. So that was really amazing," she said.

"But certainly there'sa lot thatstill needs to be done. At the structural level, at the national level, we still haveBill 21 ... that bars women from workingas school teachers, as judges because of what they wear."

The full Snapshot of Hate report will be posted on the CMW website after the presentation on Tuesday.