Hawzah News Agency – It's been nearly a year since four members of the Afzaal family were struck and killed in an attack in London, and to honour the family while bringing attention to Islamophobia, five days of events have been organized in the city for next month.
The events run from June 3 to 8 and are being hosted by the City of London and a number of organizations, including the London Muslim Mosque, Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia, and the Muslim Wellness Network.
"Lives were lost as a result of Islamophobia" said Selma Tobah with Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia. "And so I think it's really necessary for the city to commemorate what happened and to really have an understanding as to how it is that we got to that point."
On June 6, 2021, the Afzaal family was struck by a truck on Hyde Park Road in what the police described as a crime motivated by anti-Muslim hate. Talat Afzaal, Salman Afzaal, Yumna Afzaal and Madiha Salman died in the attack. Ten-year-old Fayez Afzaal survived the attack.
The event shocked the nation and shined a light on the effects of unchecked Islamophobia.
'The nature of Islamophobia in London'
"The events really, I think, have a number of goals," Tobah added. "I think not only remembering the Afzaal family, remembering what happened on June 6 of last year but also really having, I guess, a public conversation about the nature of Islamophobia in London."
Youth Coalition Combatting Islamophobia is hosting a march on June 5 from Oakridge Secondary School to the London Muslim Mosque, and a vigil on June 6.
The London District Catholic School Board and the Thames Valley District School Board are hosting a walk for students too, and the Islamic Social Services Association King's College and Muslim Resources Centre for Social Support and Integration are hosting two workshops that are focused on anti-Islamophobia on June 7 and 8.
There will also be an art gallery and prayer services, hosted by the London Muslim Mosque.
"I really hope Londoners take the opportunity to show their solidarity, and really come out to learn about the issues affecting the Muslim community," said Tobah.