Remembering Our London Family, two years later

A group of people holding blue signs that state: Love for all, hatred for none. #StandWithMuslims CREDIT: ALEX ALLAN
More than a thousand Londoners came out to show their support.

On June 6, the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia (YCCI) hosted the Our London Family Vigil at the Memorial Plaza at the corner of Hyde Park Rd. and South Carriage Rd. Members of the YCCI shared words of encouragement and healing to Londoners who came out to the vigil. Other special guests went to the podium to commemorate Our London Family. More than a thousand Londoners came out to show their support. A professor at Fanshawe for the school of language and liberal studies, Tanaz Javan came out to show their support. “It’s important to be here and to feel the connection that we created an emotionally and physically safe environment for everyone,” Javan said.

This vigil is marking the second year in commemoration of the terrorist attack that took four lives of a Muslim family in London. Afzaal relative Esa Islam spoke at the memorial service.

“These past years, I have discovered that understanding one’s purpose is the only way one can persevere through suffering,” Islam said.

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Several events are being held here in London throughout the month of June in memory of the Afzaal family. All Londoners were invited on June 3 at the MAC Hyde Park family gym for the Unity in remembrance: Honouring Our London Family. Guests could take part in a question and answer session with the local Imam. At the London Muslim Mosque, they held In Memory of our London Family: Why Islam? On June 3, where attendees had the opportunity to tour the oldest and first mosque in Ontario.

From June 3 – 10, Museum London is presenting a mural of London Remembers, created by London artist Aruba Mahmoud and the YCCI. Other events coming up are the Londoners Remember and Learn at the Jalna Public Library on June 8, where you can join to remember Our London Family and learn more about diverse faiths. June 9, the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration (MRCSSI) will be hosting a free workshop that is open to the public and anyone who is interested in learning more about Islam.

See all of what the City of London has planned here.