Walking buddy service sparked by desire to support minority groups across Canada

An Ontarioman and some like-minded Canadians have taken it upon themselvesto start a grassroots walking buddy service.

It's aimed at supporting Muslims, other minority groupsand anyone feeling unsafe going out for a walk acrossthe country in the wake of the tragic death of the Afzaal family in London, Ont.

On the evening of June 6, while out for a walk, three generations of the Afzaal family werestruck and killed by a 20-year-old driver.

Police believe they were targeted because of their Muslim faith.

TorontonianSulemaan Ahmed,a Muslim himself,says while out for a walk with his mom just days after, he couldn't help but wonder if she was safe.

"My parents have been in Canada for five decades ... and now my parents, even in their own neighbourhood ... are afraid to go for a walk."

He says he found thatunacceptable.

Ahmed logged on to Twitter and says hesaw a CBC Vancouverstory on the fears Muslims were feeling while walking alone or with loved ones in the wake of the tragedy.

Taking a walk: a simple step for some, but a deep fear for many Muslims

3 years ago

Duration 3:15

Many Muslims in Metro Vancouver are sharing a new-found fear of walking outside their homes and in the streets after a Muslim family of four was struck and killed in London, Ont., in what police are describing as a targeted attack on their faith.

He says his mother's own fearand watching theCBCstoryled to an idea: a nationwide walking buddy service.

"I figured we gotta do something. [A group of friends and I]just decided ... can we launch something that allows people to walk with someone in their neighbourhood so they don't feel afraid?"

He says the idea just took off.

"The tweet blew up and all of a sudden all of these people were like, we want to help. At least 70-100 people direct messaged me on Twitter and said I want to get involved," he said.

The offers came flooding in from Winnipeg, Surrey, Charlottetown, Montreal and elsewhere.

"I think that bridges things. If we're having conversations between Canadians, regardless of their race, religion, colour, creed, sexual orientation, preference, that creates more bonds and people start to understand their neighbours a bitbetter."

'We don't care if you're polka dot'

Ahmed has taken on the project with the help of others from across the country, including Next Door, an app that brings neighbourhoods together.

While thecompletely volunteer-run program is in its infancy, anyonerequiring a walking buddy or wanting to be one can sign up or connect privately on social media.

Ahmed says security checks will be in place to ensure walking partners are safe and the group is currently working out whether itwill be through RCMP background checks or through systems already in place on the Next Door app.

"We had some people message us and say I'm white, does that matter? We're like, no, we don't care if you're polka dot. if you want to get involved, we'd love to have you involved."

Social activist Bernie Farber, the chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and a former CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress, says theprogram strikes him as"brilliant."

"At a time when fear and darkness seem to be all around, this is a ray of light."

Vancouverite Manjit Chand was one of the people who saw Ahmed's tweet.

"It really struck a chord and Ithought if I can help make it feel safer for someone to walk and also get to know someone new, maybe in my neighbourhood ... I'd really want to spend some time doing that," Chand said.

She'll soon be what Ahmed is dubbing a Companion Champion,one of the volunteers who will walk with someone from their neighbourhood.

"It's a tribute to the [Afzaal] family, but it's also a tribute to all of my neighbours who are of Asian heritage who felt unsafe in the past year. It really is for anyone who feels unsafe," she said.

For couple Megan MacKinnon and Jeremy MacFadyen from Charlottetown, P.E.I, a similar story.

"Isn't that kind of part of being Canadian? ... our society is literally made of, for the most part, people who immigrated here ... nobody should feel afraid in their own community, that just isn't right," MacKinnon said.

They say their decisionto be Companion Champions reflects their desireto let Canadians of all beliefs, colours and backgroundsknow they belong.

"The fact that people don't feel safe walking in their own neighbourhood sickens me and we wanted to do what we can to change that," MacFadyen said.

Ahmed says the intention is for the Companion Champion service to run throughthe summerand then reassess.

"Even if we just end up helping one person, that's worth it."

The program is currently accepting registrations and the walking is set to beginin the coming weeks.