Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan, expressing grief over the killing of a Pakistani-origin family in Canada, urged the international community to holistically counter Islamophobia.In a tweet on Tuesday, the premier termed it a “condemnable act of terrorism” saying that the incident revealed growing Islamophobia in Western countries.”Islamophobia needs to be countered holistically by the international community,” he added.
A 20-year-old suspect wearing a vest “like body armor” fled the scene after the attack on Sunday evening, and was arrested at a mall seven kilometers (four miles) from the intersection in London, Ontario where it happened.According to Canadian police, the family was killed in a hit-and-run incident, adding that they were targeted for being Muslim. The family had immigrated from Pakistan to Canada 14 years ago.As per the details, the victims were two women aged 77 and 44, a 46-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl. The boy was seriously injured and is recovering in a medical facility however local authorities did not release the names of the victims.
The four coffins of the Afzaal family members were covered in Canadian flags at the June 12 service in the Canadian city of London, which took place on the premises of the Islamic Center of Southwest Ontario.
Religious and community leaders expressed prayers and condolences in memory of the victims as the event came to a close.
As they waited to cross the street on June 6, Salman Afzaal, his wife Madiha Salman, Afzaal’s mother, and their 15-year-old daughter were all killed.
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