‘Shaken’ by London attack, Islamic Hamilton residents call on government to combat anti-Muslim hate
Leaders and organizers in Hamilton's Muslim community are calling on government and law enforcement to take concrete actions" in the wake of a hate-motivated attack that killed four people in London, Ont., on Sunday evening.
A Muslim family of five were out for a walk around dusk when London police say they were intentionally run down by the driver of a speeding truck who allegedly targeted the family because of their faith.
Four members of the family were killed in the incident, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has now called a terrorist attack motivated by hatred.
Just hours into the investigation, police called the deaths both horrific and intentional," while also announcing four first-degree murder charges against a London man. He also faces one count of attempted murder.
The impact of the incident has caused a wave of grief and fear for Muslims across Canada, including those in Hamilton.
In an interview, Muslim Council of Greater Hamilton spokesperson Raza Khan said the community is reeling" in the wake of the tragedy as traumatic reminders" from both the 2017 mosque shooting in Quebec and the 2018 Yonge Street van attack have resurfaced.
It's basically a punch in the gut to the whole community," said Khan. Muslims are feeling like they're under attack."
Khan said in the days since the attack concerns have been raised by Muslims in Hamilton, specifically hijab-wearing women who often go for walks with their families in the evenings.
They're going to always be looking over their shoulders whenever a car is coming by," said Khan.
It's an uneasiness Sabreina Dahab and Koubra Haggar, organizers with the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion and the McMaster Muslims for Peace and Justice, said they both know well living in the city, which is marked by its own history of Islamophobia."
That includes the arson of the Ibrahim Jame Mosque in 2016 and the firebombing of the Hindu Samaj Temple in 2001.
I'm constantly aware that something like this could happen here and has happened here," said Dahab. This isn't an isolated incident."
Haggar said she's been told horrific" things by strangers on the street. The implications of the attack in London are very personal."
It's ... unsettling," said Haggar.
But in the wake of pain and fear, Sayed Tora, imam at the Hamilton Downtown Mosque, said the community is turning their grief into action and demands for concrete actions" from those in power.
We are actually tired of the lip service," he said. Words of solidarity and condemnation are no longer enough."
Tora said the community is joining a nationwide call for action to combat Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate.
Something has to be done about it because, unfortunately, this is what all of that is translating into - acts of violence and loss of lives," said Tora. Khan, Dahab and Haggar all echoed similar concerns and calls.
In an emailed statement, Hamilton police said they would be paying special attention" to Hamilton's mosques and Muslim centres to reassure community members, while also deterring possible incidents."
In a statement, Mayor Fred Eisenberger encouraged Hamiltonians to check in on their Muslim neighbours, while calling Islamophobia a very real and deadly threat to Canadians."
A vigil and Maghrib prayer have also been organized for Wednesday night at the gazebo in Bayfront Park. Attendees are asked to bring their own prayer mats and masks. The vigil will start at 8:30 p.m., while the prayer will take place at 9 p.m. All are welcome.
Tora, who will be leading the prayer, said despite the community being shaken to its core," they can't let the attack cause them to give up or lose hope."
We want to make sure that we get through this with strength, patience and resilience," he said. There is no other way."
-With files from the Toronto Star
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com