A devastating act of Islamophobic violence occurred in London, Ontario on June 6th, 2021, when four members of the Afzaal family were tragically killed during an evening walk near the London Muslim Mosque, Ontario’s oldest mosque. Nathaniel Veltman, 20, used his truck to target and kill Yumnah Afzaal, 15, her mother Madiha Salman, 44, an engineer, her grandmother Talat Afzaal, 74, a teacher and artist, and her father Salman Afzaal, 46, a physiotherapist. The family’s 9 year old son was injured but survived. This brutal hate-motivated terrorist attack which shocked our society, was a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of Islamophobia in Ontario and across Canada.
The Importance of the Our London Family Act
In response to the London attack, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) proposed the Our London Family Act, a legislative initiative aimed at implementing comprehensive reforms to combat Islamophobia. This Act is critical because it seeks to address the systemic issues contributing to anti-Muslim hate through education, enhanced human rights protections, and increased support for victims. The Act emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of inclusivity and safety for all Ontarians, including those from Muslim communities. Its passage would mark a significant step toward addressing the root causes of Islamophobia and preventing future acts of violence and discrimination.