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Ontario: Slain Pak-Canadian family laid to rest following Namaz-e-Janaza

LONDON (Ontario): Hundreds of people, including Pakistani diaspora, converged at a parking lot and a football field next to Islamic Center here on Saturday 12th of June to offer Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayers) of the four members of a Pak-Canadian Muslim family who were killed by 20-year-old driver Nathaniel Veltman.

Conspicuous among others at the funeral (was broadcast live on major Canadian networks) there were Pakistan’s High Commissioner, Raza Bashir Tarar and Consul General in Toronto Abdul Hameed. Raza Bashir Tarar while speaking on the occasion maintained: “The very fact that their coffins are draped in the beautiful Canadian flag is a testimony of the fact that the entire Canadian nation stands with them.”

According to details 20-year-old Nathaniel Veltman, jumped the curb in his black pickup truck (on 6th of June, 2021) hit five members of the family (killing four of them) before driving off at high speed. Police maintains that the suspect targeted the victims in an attack motivated by hate. Detective Superintendent Paul Waight of the London Police Department, while talking to reporters at a Presser stated: “There is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate…We believe the victims were targeted because of their Islamic faith.”

The unfortunate family immigrated from Lahore, Pakistan 14 years ago. The dead were identified as Syed Afzaal (46), his wife Madiha Salman (44) and their 15-year-old daughter Yumnah Afzaal.  Condition of their 9-year-old injured son, Faez Afzaal, is said to be out of danger. He is being treated in a medical facility for non-life-threatening injuries. Afzaal’s 74-year-old mother Talat also succumbed to her injuries.

PM Justin Trudeau had expressed grief over the killing of four members of theCanadian Muslim family (ranging in age from 15 to 74) on 6th day of June, 2021 in the city of London (200 km southwest of Toronto), Ontario province.

Taking to the twitter Justin Trudeau stated: “I’m horrified by the news from London, Ontario. To the loved ones of those who were terrorized by yesterday’s act of hatred, we are here for you. We are also here for the child who remains in hospital – our hearts go out to you, and you will be in our thoughts as you recover…To the Muslim community in London and to Muslims across the country, know that we stand with you.

“Islamophobia has no place in any of our communities. This hate is insidious and despicable – and it must stop…I spoke on the phone this evening with London Mayor about the hateful and heinous attack that took place in London, Ontario yesterday. I let them know we’ll continue to use every tool we have to combat Islamophobia – and we’ll be here for those who are grieving.”

Resident of London Nathaniel Veltman had been nabbed following the murders. He has been charged with four counts of first degree-murder and one count of attempted murder. The accused is scheduled to be produced before the court of law on Thursday, 10th of June after being remanded to custody on Monday 7th of June. Royal Canadian Mounted Police and prosecutors are being consulted by London Police about potentially filing terrorism charges.

PM Imran Khan, reacting to the tragedy, took to the Twitter to state: “Saddened to learn of the killing of a Muslim Pakistani-origin Canadian family in London, Ontario. This condemnable act of terrorism reveals the growing Islamophobia in Western countries. Islamophobia needs to be countered holistically by the international community.”

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M M Alam

M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career four decades ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.