LONDON, Ont. Four members of a Muslim family killed in what police called a hate crime are set to be buried in London, Ont., today. The public has been invited to help celebrate the lives of Talat Afzaal, 74, her son Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, and their 15-year-old daughter Yumna […]
Four members of the Muslim family killed nearly a week ago in a hit-and-run attack will be honoured at a public funeral today in London, Ont. A local imam who will lead the service for the Afzaal family believes the service is a crucial step in healing a grief-sticken community.
By Carolos Osorio LONDON, Ontario (Reuters) - Several hundred mourners joined a public funeral service on Saturday of a Canadian Muslim family run over and killed by a man in a pick-up truck last Sunday in an attack the police said was driven by hate. The four victims, spanning three generations, were killed when Nathaniel Veltman, 20, ran into them while they were out for an evening walk near their home in London, Ontario. A fifth family member, a 9-year-old boy, is recovering from his injuries in the hospital. Police have said the attack was premeditated and allege the family was targeted because of their Islamic faith. The hour-long ceremony started after the four coffins draped in Canadian flags rolled into the compound of the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario, and ended with prayers and condolences offered by religious and community leaders. The funeral procession later proceeded for a private burial. And the very fact their coffins are draped in the beautiful Canadian flag is a