Muslim group demands action on Islamophobia
Five years after Afzaal family killing, group calls for $40M federal funding for mosque security.
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The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council released a new report Thursday urging Ottawa to act on Islamophobia, marking the fifth anniversary of the Afzaal family killing in London, Ontario.
On June 6, 2021, a man drove his truck into the family—Salman, Madiha, Yumnah, and Fayaz—killing four and seriously injuring another. He was convicted of four counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
The council is now calling for $40 million in federal funding to protect mosques and Muslim schools, saying the amount should match funding recently earmarked for Jewish institutions. The group is also pushing Ottawa to implement earlier recommendations to combat anti-Muslim hate.
Statistics Canada data shows reports of hate crimes in Canada nearly tripled between 2018 and 2024, with significant increases in both Islamophobia and antisemitism. The council argues that dedicated resources for security and institutional protection are essential to preventing future attacks.