Here’s how to show support this weekend for the Afzaal family killed in London | CBC News
The public is being invited to mourn alongside London’s Muslim community this weekend for the lives lost in Sunday’s fatal truck attack that left 4 family members dead and one in hospital.
There are dozens of vigils and marches planned across Canada, including in London on Friday night.
A funeral for Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their daughter Yumna Afzaal, 15, and Salman’s mother, Talat Afzaal, 74, is being organized for Saturday and part of it is open to the public.
Police are describing the family’s deaths as caused by a “hate-motivated” attack based on the family’s Muslim faith.
The youngest member of the family, nine-year-old Fayez, survived and remains in hospital in stable condition, Saboor Khan, a friend of the family, told CBC News Thursday.
Friday June 11
A “Multi-Faith March to End Hatred” will take place on Friday with people asked to gather at 6:45 p.m. on Friday.
The march will depart from South Carriage and Hyde Park Roads, where the fatal attack took place, at 7 p.m.
The march is expected to last until 8:45 p.m. when attendants arrive at the London Muslim Mosque at 151 Oxford Street W.
At 6 p.m., prior to the march, there will be a nationwide “Virtual Dua” for the victims and among the speakers leading the prayers will be Imam Aarij Anwer, ICNA Canada President Ijaz Tahir.
Saturday June 12
A private visitation and burial are planned for Saturday and will be strictly for family, said Joe O’Neil, the funeral director with the O’Neil Funeral Home, however there will be a public portion at the London Islamic Centre on Pond Mills Road at 1 p.m.
Members of the public will be able to take part in the outdoor ceremony at the Islamic Centre of London and will last approximately an hour, O’Neill said. People are expected to maintain physical distance and wear masks.
People are encouraged to line the procession route to show support for the family, which will then head to the London Islamic Cemetery on White Oak Road.
“If anybody wants to stand along the route … the family says they’re more than welcome,” O’Neil said.
While the funeral route is completely open to the public, the funeral will be limited and will be “first-come, first-serve.”
The procession route will first go down York Street, going west toward Wellington Street, then it will turn South Wellington all the way down to Southdale Road where it will turn east.
Then, it will go right down the pond mills road and turn south toward the Islamic centre.
