'There are lots of fears': Lethbridge Muslim Association holds vigil to honour family killed in Ontario attack
The tragic deaths of four members of a Muslim family in London, Ont. has sent shockwaves and a sense of grief across the nation.
The Lethbridge Muslim Association (LMA) held a vigil Monday to honour the Afzaal family after Nathaniel Veltman, 20, allegedly targeted them because of their Islamic faith.
Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife, Madiha, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna, and Salman's 74-year-old mother were killed in the attack.
Nine-year-old Fayez was the lone-survivor.
"There is no reason for people to die because of their religion. Especially in Canada," said Lethbridge Muslim Association president Abdelbasat Aborawi.
"Our people are a little bit scared. There are lots of fears that this might happen in Lethbridge too, so I wanted them to feel that there are lots of people supporting us."
Notable figures including Mayor Chris Spearman, MP Rachel Harder, Lethbridge Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh and University of Lethbridge president Mike Mahon attended the event and addressed the crowd, denouncing Islamophobia and expressing condolences to the Muslim community.
LMA members say these types of gatherings after targeted, anti-Muslim attacks have become far too frequent.
"The ladies who wear a niqab, who wear a hijab, we were getting concern from the community as to whether they are safe or not, to be out there by themselves, and would they be able to walk freely, would they be able to walk safely while they're out alone?" said LMA secretary Saddam Khanzada.
Aborawi echoed a similar message, saying these types of incidents can strip away the sense of security generally felt by Muslims nationwide.
“I have three girls and my wife, they all wear hijabs, and they have never been subject to discrimination or harassment. But, I do hear from my own community people that they are scared to go for a walk," he said.
Imam Zubair Sidyot believes the root of Islamophobia and racist beliefs boils down to a lack of education, the acceptance of false information and certain narratives adopted by some political leaders from across North America.
"I would like to think that it's not prevalent in Canada and I would like to think that it's not something that is t such a large scale, but it's definitely there and it's something that we really need to address," he said.
Sidyot hopes people will take the time to learn more about other cultures by going directly to the source for information.
"Our mosques are open, our communities are open, myself as the Imam and many of the Imams across Alberta, across Saskatchewan, across Canada, their doors are open, you can go any time, you can talk to them."
Despite Monday's high of 36 C, the large, socially distanced crowd sat outside listening to a wide range of guest speakers highlight the dangers of Islamophobia and racism while calling for an end to these types of violent attacks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.