'We don't want people to forget': How communities are remembering a Muslim family killed 1 year ago

Communities across Ontario willbe marching and holding vigilsto commemorate the lives of a Muslim family killed in what police and prosecutors are calling ahate-motivated attack nearly a year ago in London, Ont.

On June 6, 2021, Yumna Afzaal, 15, her mom and dad, Madiha Salman, 44, and Salman Afzaal, 46, and her grandmother, Talat Afzaal, 74 were killed whena vehicle jumped a curb while they were out for a Sunday walk. Police believe the driverdeliberately targeted the family because of their Muslim faith.

Their youngest son was injured, but survived. Family members have asked that the boy not be named so he can have as normal a life as possible.

In a statement released on behalf of the family, Umar Afzaal, Salman's brother, says they continue to struggle with what happenedbut are looking to the future with help from the community.

"To lose threegenerations of our family was a catastrophe, but our community came together and has provided us with hope and strength. It is with this strength we have been able to continue forward," the statement reads.

The accused in the attack faces murder and related terrorism charges.Twelve weeks have been set asidefor his trial,which is scheduled to start in September of2023,

'This attack needs to be condemned'

Reyhana Patel, a spokesperson for Islamic Relief Canada (IRC), says the build-up to the anniversary has been top of mind for many inMuslim communities. She saysthe organization worked for weeks leading up to Jun. 6 to organize 11 walksand vigilsnationwideand encourage people to plan their own events.

"We're remembering the Afzaal family but also, we want people to come out to show support that Islamophobia is real and this attack needs to be condemned," said Patel.

Patel says the organization is still hearing reports fromMuslim people who say they faceIslamophobia, such asverbal abuse, getting their hijabs ripped off, or being passed overfor work promotions because of their faith.

"We need to work on this not only as a community, but also ... weneed proper government intervention as well."

The group, along with the National Council for Canadian Muslims, will be going to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Jun. 6 to ask for further progress on the federal government's National Action Plan on Combating Hate. The two groupsalso want more movement onthe policy recommendations theyreleased following the London attack.

Provincially, Patel says they're waiting to see if Bill 86, Our London Family Act, tabledin response to the tragedy, gets passed.

A focus on protection

Last year, the Toronto Islamic Centrewroteand delivered cards to the Afzaalfamily, the London Muslim Mosque and the broader community as a way of showing solidarity, says the centre's operations manager and imamShaffni Nalir.

"This year though, to be honest, in specific, we're trying to maybe protect our own mosque a little bit more, actually," saidNalir.

He says he's concerned aboutpossible attacksagainst the mosque or the community. He says while Canada is generally a safe country and he encourages members of the community to participate in the upcoming vigils and walks, he advises them to keep an eye ontheir surroundings and when going out alone.

"This is something that people didn't have to do before, but the world is different," saidNalir.

"If this was the first incident, we might say it was a one off, you know, but this is not the first incident."

Vigils, walks across Ontario

Residents in Ontario can join thesewalks on Jun. 5 and 6:

Location:Thomson Memorial Park, 1005 Brimley Rd., Scarborough, Ont.
Time and Date:Jun. 5 at6:30 p.m

Event:Program, speeches, followed by march to London Muslim Mosque
Location:Oakridge Secondary School, 1040 Oxford St W.
Time and Date: Jun. 5 at 1 p.m.

Event: Vigil Honouring Our London Family
Location:the intersection of Hyde Park Rd. & South Carriage Rd., London, Ont
Time and Date:Jun. 6 at6:30 p.m

Event: Online vigil for the Kingston community
Location:on theIslamic Society of KingstonFacebook Page
Time: Jun. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Event:National Solidarity Walk and Vigil Across Canada
Location:Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Dr., Mississauga, Ont.
Time: Jun. 6 between 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Event: Walk of Silent Reflection
Location:Parliament Hill (Centennial Flame) to Major's Hill Park, Ottawa, Ont.
Time: Jun. 6 between 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Event:Vigil Honouring Our London Familyand report on hate in Waterloo unveiling (Coalition of Muslim Women)
Location:Family Centre, located at 65 Hanson Ave., Kitchener, Ont.
Time: Jun 6. between 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Patelencourages peopleto donate, wear green and purple ribbons asthe official symbol of remembrance of the Afzaal family, and talk to their families on the dangers of Islamophobia.

"We don't want people to forget what happened."