A joint statement from the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, and Dr. Syed Pirzada, President, Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Two years ago a heinous act of terrorist violence was committed against the Afzaal family of London, Ontario. This premeditated and Islamophobic act took the lives of a daughter, a mother, a father, a grandmother, and grievously injured and orphaned a nine-year-old boy.
Today we join with Muslim friends in London and across the nation to remember the victims who were lost – Salman, Madiha, Yumnah and Talat – and to honour their memory. As we do this our thoughts are with Fayez, the lone survivor who will never again share an embrace with his father, mother, sister, and grandmother.
We cherish the pillars that make us distinctly Canadian, such as freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and our multicultural society. The acts of June 6, 2021 were meant to spread terror amongst our Muslim friends and neighbours. This act of division has failed, and has instead brought Canadians together to show compassion to each other and to stand against Islamophobia wherever it appears.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador stand in solidarity and remain committed partners in the fight against Islamophobia. Together we have been successful in efforts to curb anti-Muslim hate, with government listening and responding to issues raised by the Muslim community. Through proclaiming October as Islamic History Month and collaborating on a documentary film on the history of Muslims in the province, we continue to raise awareness of Muslim culture and history in Newfoundland and Labrador. By doing this we highlight the invaluable contributions Muslims are making to our society and demonstrating that Islamic history is our history, and that Islamic culture is our culture.
Let this day be a sober reminder that Islamophobia persists in Canada and can only be countered by our eternal vigilance.
Sincerely:
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
Dr. Syed Pirzada
President, Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
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