Mosque hosts vigil for family killed in London, Ont., vehicle attack

LONDON, Ont. — A vigil was held Tuesday night at the mosque of five family members who police say were intentionally struck down by a driver in London, Ont.

The London Muslim Mosque said the city and the country are devastated in the aftermath of Sunday’s attack, which left four dead and sent a nine-year-old boy to hospital.

Police have said the family members were targeted because of their Muslim faith.

WATCH LIVE: Vigil for victims of Islamophobic attack is held at London, Ont. Mosque.

“We are with you,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “There are no words that can ease the grief of having three generations, murdered in their neighbourhood. There are no words that can undo the pain. And yes, the anger of this community. There are no words.”

“The Muslim-Canadian community pact has been broken too many times, it was broken last fall in Etobicoke, in Quebec City, in far too many places across the country. Islamophobia is real. Racism is real. You should not have to face that hate in your communities, in your country.”

“What comes after grief is commitment,” said Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole. “We have to commit ourselves to working across party lines. With premiers, with mayors, with faith leaders, to end the kind of violence and hatred that took these lives. This was an attack on a family, walking together in their community. The Afzaal family was entitled to the same security, the same freedom from fear, and the same freedom to worship as every Canadian, and we have to commit ourselves to making sure it is a reality for all Canadians.”

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also was in attendance.

“I want to say to my sisters that wear a Hijab, to my brothers that wrap their head. We will not cower in fear we will wear our Turbans, our Hijabs with pride, because we are proud of who we are,” Singh said. “We will not let terror win. I also want to remind us all that this heinous act was an act of hate, and hate is like a fire. Once hate takes hold, it spreads. Consuming everyone. So, it is our collective responsibility to stand against that hate to give it no air to breathe, no space to take hold. That is our collective responsibility.”

Police say a pickup truck, driven by a 20-year-old London man, mounted a curb, struck them as they were out for an evening walk and then drove away.

Police have not released the names of the victims, but a statement released by the family late Monday identifies them as Salman Afzaal, 46, his 44-year-old wife Madiha Salman, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Salman and Afzaal’s 74-year-old mother.

The couple’s nine-year-old son Fayez was seriously injured but is expected to survive.

Sana Yasir, a friend of the family who lived down the street, confirmed she had been in touch with Afzaal’s brother and sister-in-law and released the statement on their behalf.

“We need to understand that the destruction of a family in the brutal and horrific manner like this is something we must all stand against,” the statement reads. “We need to stand against hate and Islamophobia and raise awareness in our communities and throughout all political spectrum.”

Yasir said the family was well known within the local Pakistani-Muslim community.

“They were the most loving, caring and genuine family and would always greet you with a smile,” she said.

Dozens came out to the scene of the attack on Monday night to pay tribute.

People cried, hugged and placed flowers around a light pole and a nearby tree, a metre away from where the truck hopped the curb onto the sidewalk.

Rauf Ahmad and three of his friends watched the growing tribute on the corner. The group said they all had members who were killed in Pakistan over their Muslim faith.

“I didn’t think there was racism in Canada and I felt very safe when I came here two years ago, but I do not feel safe now,” Ahmad said.

“Humanity is first, we should not care about whether someone is a Muslim, a Jew or a Christian.”

Nathaniel Veltman has been arrested and charged with murder in the attack.

– With files from the Canadian Press