Days before the first anniversary of the deadly attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario, members of the Afzaal family expressed their prolonged grief at the loss, while condemning the violence and discrimination and thanking the community.
The sadness is so deep when you realize that the people who gave you the best memories are just memories.Umar Afzaal wrote in a statement released on Wednesday on behalf of the surviving family members.
Our memories of you are a treasure we hold in our hearts and we continue to struggle with the question of why you need to leave this life.
The statement also indicates that the abomination who took the lives of family members is still difficult to comprehend.
Yumna Afzaal, 15, her mother and father Madiha Salman, 44, and Salman Afzaal, 46, and her grandmother Talat Afzaal, 74, were killed on June 6, 2021 when they were hit by a vehicle while walking.
Police believe the family was targeted because of their Muslim faith.
Umar Afzaal’s nephew survived the attack. Family members asked not to name the child so that he could have a normal life as much as possible.
Statement added: A year seems like a very long time, but if you don’t have it all, it passes in the blink of an eye. We miss you all more than words can express.
The family statement also acknowledges the support received over the past year.
The Afzaal family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the London, Ontario community for their continued support and understanding. The loss of three generations of our family was a disaster, but our community came together and gave us hope and strength. Because of this strength, we continue to move forward.
The family statement also addresses the type of incident.
As a family, we have always believed in equality and freedom from any form of discrimination based on race, color or belief.said the statement. In our eyes, June 6, 2021 marked a day in which lives were taken not only from four innocent people, but from all of humanity. We, the Afzaal family, condemn any form of hate -induced violence. We continue to recover from the incredibly tragic event our family went through.
Family members added that they do not support any political, religious or cultural campaign, that they do not endorse any fundraising on behalf of their family and that they need privacy, especially for the boy who survived.
The Afzaal family continues to place most of their trust and support in the Canadian justice system, and we look forward to seeing justice.
The accused in the attack face murder and terrorism charges. The trial is scheduled to begin on September 5, 2023.
Federal Crown Prosecutor Lisa Matthews told a London court that the case was given a preferred indictment on January 21, meaning there would be no trial. preliminary hearing.
There will be a special event on June 6 at the London Mosque from 6 am to 8:30 am, followed by a vigil at the corner of Hyde Park and South Carriage Road at 6:30 pm to mark the sad anniversary.
Source: Radio-Canada
