Statement on the community impacts of the Afzaal family massacre in London in the sentencing hearing

January 5, 2024

The Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia is in London, Ontario this week to observe the sentencing hearing of the convicted killer of the Afzaal family.

The Afzaal family, often referred to as #OurLondonFamily, was hit by a truck on June 6, 2021. Four of the five members out on a walk that day were killed by an individual who has since been found guilty on four counts of murder, and one count of attempted murder. The killer admitted to specifically choosing his victims on account of their Muslim faith. A young boy survived.

It was the second mass attack against Muslims in Canada, following the Quebec City Mosque shooting in 2017. It followed the stabbing death of a Muslim volunteer at a Toronto mosque in 2020.

Canada has had the highest number of targeted deadly attacks against Muslims of any other G7 country.

Family, friends, and community representatives impacted by the targeted killings of the multi-generational family have been reading their statements in court this week. They have described the pain, shock, and immense loss felt following this avoidable crime that ended the lives of Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, daughter Yumna Afzaal, 15, and her grandmother, Talat Afzaal, 74.

Family members, and members of London’s close-knit community have put into words what it has been like to live in the shadow of this tragedy over these past two and a half years.

Final sentencing will be delivered on January 23.

The shock, horror, and dismay that Islamophobia can become deadly is a realization that many Canadian Muslims have had to grapple with for years. The negative repercussions of Islamophobia continue to be a preoccupation against a current backdrop of rising hate crimes and incidents.

Hate crimes are message crimes that harm not only those directly impacted, but reach beyond, harming members of the targeted group. Not only were the Afzaal family members brutally stolen from their family and community, so was the sense of safety, well-being, and inclusion, which is the right of every Canadian.

We must remember that hate against any Canadian is a direct threat to the safety and security of all Canadians.

We must also reflect as a nation on how we ensure such tragedies do not happen again. Many Canadians have offered support and sympathy and are allies to Canada’s Muslim communities.

In the meantime, our thoughts are with the Afzaal family members as they continue to process their grief with dignity. The immense loss of this beautiful family is one that continues to be felt to this day. We will not forget.