On June 12, 2021, hundreds gathered for a vigil in Victoria Park, Milton, to mourn the Afzaal family – victims of a hate crime in London, Ontario. Heartfelt speeches, thoughtful bouquets, and overwhelming support marked the day as a memorable show of solidarity from the entire Milton community. The attack, pronounced a terrorist attack by officials, had killed three generations of a Muslim family and left a nine-year old boy orphaned and recovering in the hospital.

Salman Afzaal, Madiha Salman, Yumna Salman, and Talat Afzaal were all integral members of the London community and losing them left many in shock. After starting the vigil with recitation of Quranic scripture, various speakers commemorated the family and highlighted ways in which Canadians can come together to ensure horrendous  acts, such as this one, do not take place again.