The murder of a family, a murder that appears to be based on hate, orphaning a young son and leaving a gaping wound in a community, can shake the foundations of anyone’s faith. Particularly if it was your faith that was targeted.
The June 6 murder of most members of the Afzaal family, a Pakistani Muslim family, in London, Ont. has sent shock waves around the world. The family was standing at an intersection waiting to cross the street when a man rammed a pickup truck into them, killing all but the family’s young son.
Relatives have identified the victims as Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife, Madiha Salman, 44, their daughter Yumna Salman, 15, and Salman’s 74-year-old mother, Talat Afzaal. The family’s nine-year-old son, Fayez, was seriously injured and remains in hospital.
Police believe the murders are also a hate crime, and the incident has been condemned by religious, political and community leaders domestically and internationally. Both Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the incident as a ‘terrorist’ attack.
Reflecting on the tragedy of the killings and impact on the boy who survived, Bela Ravi, president of the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association, thinks back to conversation she had with a friend of hers, a Muslim woman who had tragically lost her son.
“I told her, at moments like this, I question my faith,” said Ravi. “And she told me, ‘Bela, I don't question my faith. Because He's got my child. My God has my child to take care of now. I will never question him, because he's going to take care of my child’.”
If you’re unfamiliar with the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association, the name might be a bit confusing. Established in 1984 through an amalgamation of the Sudbury Folk Arts Council and the Sudbury Regional Immigration Centre, the association works to build bridges between immigrants to Canada and Sudbury, and existing local services, and identify and address challenges for New Canadians in the Nickel City, as well as providing outreach to the community.
The association stages the yearly July 1 multicultural food fair at Sudbury Arena, which serves to celebrate and highlight the many cultures represented in Greater Sudbury.
A GoFundMe has been created to support the family, which is within a few thousand of its $650,000 goal.
What is also troubling about the murders, Ravi said, is the realization that an attack like this, one that is based on hatred of another’s religion, race, ethnicity, or even life choices, can happen anytime and anywhere.
“Different cultures, different religions, but always looking over their shoulder,” said Ravi.
As a person of colour and minority, she also said she thought these experiences were behind her as ideas and beliefs change.
“I thought I'd left all this behind when I was growing up in Toronto back in the ’70s,” said Ravi. “I never thought my kids would see this, but here we are today. It is a wake up call, something is not right here. Something is not right here.”
It is the face of the young boy, Fayez Salman, that has given Ravi the most sadness.
“I just can't wrap my head around this,” she said. “My thoughts and prayers are with that little boy.”
With a rise in hate crimes over the course of the pandemic, particularly against those of Asian descent, it has felt like a year of consistent attacks on the diverse communities of Canada, said Ravi.
“This last year has been a tough year. A lot of emotions, a lot of anger, a lot of fear. But I hope people come together to heal and to show solidarity in this.
That solidarity should also come from non-Muslim communities, she said.
“I think it's time to reach out and tell them that we have your back,” said Ravi. “When you see injustice, stand up for that. When you see that happening, stand up for the person and say ‘no, this is not right.’
Statements condemning the attack have poured in from across the country, with several leaders offering condolences, including Premier Doug Ford, who issued a statement saying, in part, “The horrific and deliberate attack on a Muslim family in London has left our province in mourning. In response to this terrible tragedy, all government events have been cancelled for the remainder of today in order to help give the family and community the space they need to grieve this devastating loss of life.”
Ford also travelled to London to attend a vigil at the London Muslim Mosque.
“Our government is currently working with the local public health unit to temporarily amend certain restrictions in order to allow the community to safely gather to grieve and memorialize this family during tonight’s vigil,” Ford said.
The Afzaal Family also released a statement:
Statement from the Afzaal family who have lost four family members in hate attack in #ldnont
— Amira Elghawaby (@AmiraElghawaby) June 8, 2021
A statement no one should ever have to write. Loss no one should ever have to endure. pic.twitter.com/jq4kE0sgaG
Closer to home, Mayor Brian Bigger issued the following statement:
“It was with great shock and sadness that I learned of the devastating news from London, where four members of a family were murdered, and a young child seriously injured, because of their faith. As Canadians, we often think of this kind of domestic terrorism as something that happens ‘somewhere else’. It is difficult and disturbing to remind ourselves that hatred knows no borders, and that racism and Islamophobia continue to exist here. As a country, there is still much work to be done to combat it. That’s up to all of us, as Canadians.
“On behalf of city council and the people of Greater Sudbury, our hearts go out to the victims of this senseless, hateful act. To their family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, classmates and all the people of London, we send you our thoughts and prayers of strength and healing.
“And to our Muslim community here in Greater Sudbury and right across Canada – we love you and we stand with you. This country belongs to all of us, and there is no space for hatred.”
Greater Sudbury Police Services also issued a statement.
We send our collective thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the heinous attack in #LondonOntario. We are gutted by this horrific act of hatred. We stand with the people of @CityofLdnOnt as you mourn this unspeakable loss. @lpsmediaoffice #LdnOnt #London https://t.co/RsqfCwGMLt
— Sudbury Police (@SudburyPolice) June 8, 2021
Nathaniel Veltman, 20, of London, was arrested seven kilometres away from the scene of the crime. He reportedly was wearing a vest that appeared similar to body armour, and according to some reports, a helmet.
He’s been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
London Police have said the crime appears to have been planned and premeditated, and that the family was targetted because of their faith.
Police have also said so far they’ve not found Veltman to be connected to any hate groups. He has not been charged with hate-related offences, though that has not been ruled out.
