Honouring the memory of Our London Family

By Stephen Brown, CEO of NCCM

I know the next few days will be hard for many as we pause to remember.

I don’t think any of us can ever forget the horror that befell the evening of June 6th, 2021. I know I won’t. And we shouldn’t.

Honoring the memory of Our London Family means remembering what happened.

That summer evening was warm and quiet as the Muslim family of five strolled outside for a walk after maghrib. Such an ordinary day, then became a nightmare that will forever be etched onto the collective conscience of all Canadians.

A man in his truck drove into the family, killing four out of its five members.

The attack forever changed how we see ourselves in this country. We were forced yet again to stare hate in the face, and duty bound to not back down.

The fight against Islamophobia was galvanized, and that journey continues to this day.

Today, as we approach June 6th yet again, I’m asking you to do three things to honour Our London Family:

Firstly, I ask you all to join in remembrance, to pray for those who were taken from us by hate, for those who survived, for those who’ve cared for the vulnerable, and for those who must continue the work of healing a community scarred by the trauma of that night.

Secondly, I ask you all to join in taking action to make sure we never forget and to make sure this never happens again.

There are many things you can do to take small steps that will inshallah make a big difference in the fight against Islamophobia. From calling your local elected officials, to wearing a green and purple ribbon, to taking a stand in your communities, every bit counts. Visit our social media pages or www.nccm.ca/our-london-family to learn more about what actions you can take.

Lastly, I ask you to check in on one another. The terrible gravity of tragedy and the senselessness of loss can take its toll. There is no doubt that we must remain united against Islamophobia, but we can only do this on a firm foundation of love for our communities and trust in the Divine.

I pray we all stay safe, stay hopeful, and stay determined to see the rise of a better tomorrow.

May God's peace and blessings be on all of you.