According to Canadian media, a 20-year-old attacker hit a family of five in Ontario’s London with his truck when they were attempting to cross the road on 6 June. The local police have said that four of the five members of the family have died as a result of the attack while a nine-year-old boy is in hospital in a critical condition.
The police have termed the attack as "a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate". The attacker has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempt to murder.
Highlighted:
- Hate attack in Canada’s London stirs fear through Muslim community
- Police termed attack as ‘premediated,’ victims attacked because of their Islamic faith
- Australian National Imam Council urges government to ‘not take such attacks lightly'
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the attack and said that Islamophobia has no place in his country. A vigil was organised by the local community in memory of the victims, which was attended by Mr Trudeau who had come there to condole.
Arij Anwar is an Imam of the London Muslim Mosque. He knew the victims closely.
While talking to SBS Urdu from Canada, he said, “Salman bhai was very humble and always had a smile on his face. We were close to each other. His daughter and son would attend our Islamic school. It is a big loss for us.”
Mr Anwar was of the opinion that although these attacks are taking place at different places and times, they may not be related to each other. But he added that the ideology behind these attacks is the same.
“We all are heartbroken ... there is anger and fear in the community as these attacks are happening on a regular basis now,” he said.
Zeeshan Ejaz is also a part of the local Pakistani Muslim community.
Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau speaks at a vigil for four members of a Muslim family who were killed during a Sunday evening walk in London, Ontario. Source: Anadolu
“When I arrived at my office on Monday (9 June), morning I came to know about this news. I have been a local student but haven’t seen such an incident in the past,” he told SBS Urdu.
Calling this attack a “shocking event and a difficult time for the community,” Mr Ejaz added that only love can eradicate this hate.
“There is still fear in the community. I wanted to take my wife out for a walk but there is fear in the atmosphere so I just avoided it,” he said.
Mr Ejaz said that fear is just a natural element when such an event takes place. But on the other hand, he acknowledges the support the community has got from the prime minister and members of parliament.
“The whole Canadian community stood with us. I even got messages about my wellbeing from people I don't know,” he added.
The Australian National Imam Council (ANIC) has condemned the attack and called it "an act of Islamophobia".
In a statement released on their Facebook page, ANIC stated, “the incident is a reminder of the effects and consequences of Islamophobia. It is a reminder that, as a society, we need to be vigilant against Islamophobia and hate crime”.
ANIC emphasised that the threat is imminent in Australia too.
Members of the Muslim community and supporters gather for a vigil at the London Muslim Mosque on 8 June, 2021 in London, Canada. Source: Getty Images
“We urge the Australian government to not take the threat of Islamophobia in our society lightly. That threat is ever-present and impacts us all,” the statement added.
A spokesperson from the Australian Department of Home Affairs told SBS Urdu that the Australian Government condemns acts of violence motivated by hate. The following points are added by the home affairs spoke person as measures taken against extremism and tackling right-wing extremism in Australia.
- The Australian Government is committed to keeping Australians safe from all forms of violent extremism.
- The threat of nationalist and racist violent extremism has been in the Government’s sights for many decades and our intelligence and law enforcement agencies continue to dedicate resources to this threat.
- The Minister takes advice from security and law enforcement agencies as to whether organisations meet legal thresholds, and whether they should be prioritised for listing as terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code.
- Penalties of up to 25 years’ imprisonment apply for offences including being a member of, training with, or providing support to terrorist organisations.
- At the request of the former Minister for Home Affairs, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is currently inquiring into the nature and threat posed by extremist groups and has been asked to advise on further steps the Commonwealth could take to deter hate speech and the use of extremist symbols and insignia, reinforce social cohesion, and counter violent extremist ideologies in Australia.
- The Government is working to counter all forms of violent extremism, including through:
- Our laws and arrangements focus on threat and criminality regardless of ideology or motivation.
- Sonnenkrieg Division, a United Kingdom (UK)-based white supremacist organisation, is listed as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code.
- Social cohesion policies to foster a cohesive and resilient society, so that individuals are less susceptible to disengagement and radicalisation;
- Countering violent extremism initiatives to divert and/or disengage at-risk individuals from violent extremist activities; and
- Online initiatives to reduce the volume and effectiveness of terrorist and violent extremist content.
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