More than 200 Sudburians gathered as the clouds parted above Memorial Park on June 11 to hold a vigil for the Afzaal Family, killed in what’s being called a hate-based attack in London on June 6th.
Among speeches from local political leaders were impassioned words of hope, compassion and community from the members of the Islamic Association of Sudbury, as well as other religious and secular groups looking to offer their support.
The vigil was a chance to offer words of condolences, to mourn and to come together for the first time in many months due to the pandemic, and to honour the names of Yumna, 15, her mother Madiha, 44, paternal grandmother Talat, 74, and father Salman, 46. There were also many prayers for the young child and the only survivor of the attack, Fayez, who is nine.