June 6th, 2023 marks two years since the attack that took #OurLondonFamily. It is time to honour their memory. It is time to carry forward the fight against Islamophobia. That action starts with remembrance. It starts with intention. Join with others of good will to begin this journey by participating in any of the challenges, attending any of the following community events to commemorate #OurLondonFamily, and sharing any of the resources below.
It is time for us to heal. It is time for us to act. All are welcome to join. Make sure to check back for updates.
Step up to the Challenge
1. Wear a Green and Purple Ribbon
We came together to wear the green and purple ribbon to show that we will never forget. Purple was the favourite colour of one of the victims that night. Green represents the gardens of Jannah.
The ribbon became a collective symbol for Canadians united against hate. That journey continues today and it’s time for you to join. Make the green and purple ribbon at home, share some with your friends and neighbours, and wear it proudly in defiance of Islamophobia.
2. Call your Local Elected Officials
In the aftermath of the tragedy that took Our London Family, the Muslim community pushed Ottawa to help convene the very first National Action Summit on Islamophobia. The Summit produced a total of 61 policy recommendations to tackle systemic Islamophobia and hate in Canada.
35 of these recommendations were made for the federal government level; 19 for the provincial level; and 7 for the municipal level.
We have made good progress in pushing those in power to implement many of these policies. But we need your help to push for the items that have yet to be implemented. That is our challenge to you: help us get the job done.
Here’s how to get going:
- Step 1: Check out this graphic to see which items have yet to be implemented: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg5DcbEg44L/
- Step 2: Pick a policy item and identify which level of government it corresponds to: federal, provincial, or municipal.
- Step 3: Download our Summit Recommendations report to learn more about that policy recommendation: https://wordpress-1318566-5357560.cloudwaysapps.com/Islamophobiasummit/
- Step 4: Once you determine which level of government is responsible for that undone policy recommendation, do a quick Google search to find out who the elected official is for your area.
- For federal, it would be your Member of Parliament. For provincial, it is your Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), or Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Quebec. For municipal, it is your City Councillor and Mayor.
- Step 5: Once you have determined which elected official you should contact, find out their office phone number via a quick Google search and give them a call.
Cite the Summit Recommendations list and tell them why it is important to implement the policy item you selected.
Then follow up with an email reiterating the points you made.
3. Speak Up at Work
So much of our time is spent at work, with colleagues whose only exposure to Islam is through their Muslim coworkers. This often means that our institutions can do much more to address Islamophobia.
It is an opportunity for us to play a role in alerting the leadership within our workplaces about this issue, in order to strengthen our institutions.
We must ask: What are the leaders there doing to fight against Islamophobia and hate in the workplace? What more can be done?
Specifically, we must approach management at work to raise the following points to address Islamophobia:
- Ask to clarify what in-house policies are already in place to address Islamophobia.
- Propose company-wide anti-Islamophobia training.
- Ensure that workplace accommodations are present to support religious practices, be it prayer spaces, time for jumaa, or holiday accommodations.
4. Engaging Our Educators
Unfortunately, Islamophobic bullying is an increasingly severe issue at schools across Canada as the Muslim student population continues to grow.
School boards and administrations are often at a loss at how to deal with Islamophobia. Many end up perpetuating the problem instead of helping solve it. So it is up to civil society to hold the system accountable and to play a positive role in fostering a safe learning environment for our children.
This is where we have to step up to the plate: we have to help protect our kids who often struggle to uphold their Muslim identities at school. We have to take administrations to task.
Here are a few points and suggestions that we can approach our school boards and administrations with:
- Ask to clarify: What your local school administration is doing to fight anti-Muslim bullying?
- Propose that all educators receive anti-Islamophobia training.
- Make sure that schools create spaces for affirming and supporting Muslim students, including:
- safe spaces to pray;
- Muslim Students Associations;
- observing the designated National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia (January 29th); and
- celebrating Islamic Heritage Month in October.
- Ensure that accurate Muslim representation is built into the class curriculum.
Community Events
Our London Family Vigil
Date: June 6th, 2023
Location: Hyde Park Rd and South Carriage Rd
Time: 6:30 pm
Detail: June 6, 2023 marks the second annual commemoration of the Islamophobic hate crime that killed four Londoners: Talat, Salman, Yumnah Afzaal and Madiha Salman. We mark the anniversary of this event to honour the community members taken from us, remember how hate divides us, and recognize the resiliency that has emerged from this tragedy. Join us on Tuesday June 6TH for the Our London Family Vigil at 6:30 PM at the intersection of Hyde Park and South Carriage road (Memorial Plaza). Magreb prayer on site. For those who intend to pray, please bring prayer mats.
Unity in Remembrance: Honouring Our London Family
Date: June 3rd, 2023
Location: MAC Hyde Park, Our London Family Gym, 1175 Hyde Park Road, Unit 9, London
Time: 11:00 am
Detail: All Londoners are invited for the Our London Family Gym Open House to view the space and participate in a Question and Answer session with the local Imam.
In Memory of Our London Family: Why Islam?
Date: June 3rd, 2023
Location: London Muslim Mosque
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Details: Why Islam? Join our esteemed London Imams (after Asr prayer) as they answer your questions about Islam. Followed by an opportunity to tour the oldest and first mosque in Ontario
London Remembers
Date: June 3rd – 10th, 2023
Location: Museum London
Time: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm – Wednesday to Sunday
Detail: To mark the second year of commemoration of the tragic loss of Our London Family, Museum London is proud to present the mural, ‘London Remembers.’ This is a work created by London artist Aruba Mahmud and the Youth Coalition Combatting Islamophobia (YCCI). In April, YCCI held workshops across the city and invited community members to share messages of remembrance, love and healing on purple hexagons. The group used many of these message-bearing hexagons in the creation of the mural, which illustrated Londoners’ stand against Islamophobia.
Breaking Barriers: Confronting Islamophobia
Date: June 4th, 2023
Location: London Muslim Mosque
Time: 4:00 pm
Detail: Hear from the Canadian journalist, communications professional, and human rights activist and appointed as Canada’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby and a Canadian Screen Award-winner who is Canada’s first hijab-wearing television news reporter, local anchor, and national host, Ginella Massa. This is a free event funded by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. All Londoners are welcome.
Islamophobia Doesn’t Define Me
Date: June 4th, 2023
Location: MAC Masonville, northwest corner of Richmond Street and Fanshawe Park Road.
Time: 11:00 am to 2:30 pm
Detail: Hosted by YCCI, and in partnership with Islamic Relief and MAC, this workshop is an opportunity for Muslim youth to discuss Muslim identities and learn from each other.
Tree Planting & Plaque Placement
Date: June 4th, 2023
Location: Islamic Cemetary, 6100 White Oak Road
Time: 11:00 am
Detail: The Pakistani Canadian Association is hosting a tree planting and plaque placement in honour of Our London Family.
Under Siege: Islamophobia and the 9/11 Generation
Date: June 5th, 2023
Location: Free Virtual Event
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm
Detail: Dr. Zine will discuss her new book “Under Siege: Islamophobia and the 9/11 Generation” , a book that delves into the impact of the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent global ‘war on terror’ on the lives of young Canadian Muslim youth who have come of age during these turbulent times.
Londoners Remember and Learn
Date: June 8th, 2023
Location: Jalna Public Library, 1119 Jalna Blvd.
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Detail: The London & Middlesex Local Immigration and its partners invite you to join us to remember Our London Family and learn from one another. As we remember, we will learn about diverse faiths and common grounds that unite all groups. All Londoners are welcome to attend.
Combatting Islamophobia Together: Fostering Community Safety Through Awareness & Action
Date: June 9th, 2023
Location: Civic Gardens
Time: 9:00 am to 2:20 pm
Detail: The Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration (MRCSSI) is hosting a free in-person workshop for members of the general public and service providers on Friday June 9, 2023 titled: Combatting Islamophobia Together: Fostering community safety through awareness & action
In this day-long workshop participants will:
- Strengthen their understanding of Islam.
- Gain a deeper awareness of the realities and forms of Islamophobia, including Gendered Islamophobia, in the everyday lives of Muslims in Canada and the impacts of this violence.
- Learn about allyship and gain practical strategies of Bystander Intervention that help to create safety in public situations of Islamophobic harassment and violence.
Registration details to follow soon.
PondFest 2023
Date: June 17th, 2023
Location: Hyde Park Village Green, 1695 Hyde Park Road
Time: 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Detail: Join the Hyde Park BIA as they unveil the new Hyde Park Village Green, featuring the Garden of Reflection. The Garden of Reflection is a gathering place which invites Londoners on a journey of contemplation and healing, while remembering the lives of Our London Family.
Classroom Resources & Activities
June 6th is etched in our memory. As we remember Our London Family, we are mindful of the grief this brings to each of our hearts but also the need for ongoing action and healing. I encourage educators to remind all students of classroom guidelines before starting these conversations while also recognizing this time can be especially difficult for Muslim students, families and staff.
Hold space for students to express themselves and provide opportunities for students to engage in different ways.
Ways to engage:
- Consider holding a moment of silence in your classroom or school to honor Our London Family.
- Organize a school-wide walk-in memory of “Our London Family” as a time to reflect, honour and bring attention to the issue of Islamophobia in our communities.
- Wear purple and/or green
- Create space for classroom learning, check out the ideas below.