Hundreds in Ottawa mourn Muslim family killed in London truck attack

Members of Ottawa's Muslim community say the killing of the Afzaal family in London, Ont., "hits close to home."

Hundreds gathered in front of the Human Rights Monument on Elgin Streetin downtown Ottawa Tuesday evening for an emotionalvigil held to honour and mourn the Afzaal family.

Four members the familywere identified asthevictims of a hit and run Sundayin what police are callinga hate-motivated attack in London, Ont.

Salman Afzaal, 46,his wife Madiha Salman, 44,their 15-year-old daughterYumna Afzaaland Salman Afzaal's 74-year-old mother, Talat Afzaal, were killed aftera black truck slammed into them as they took an evening walk.

The youngest member of the family, nine-year-old Fayez Afzaal,is the only survivor.

Ottawa vigil organizerNabila Kacisaid that little boywas her first thought Tuesday morning.

"Sorry, Fayez,sorry,"said Kaci, who is also president of the Ottawa chapter of the Canadian Council for Muslim Women.

"Maybe I should have done more,to educate more, to stand up more, stand up against the hate crimes that we see," she said.

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Kaci said Ottawa's Muslim community is living in "disbelief but also fear."

"I fear for my son. I fear for my friends. I fear for my brothers and sisters in the community."

Speakers at the vigil addressed the crowd, asking for the Canadian government to do more to combat Islamophobia.

Sahada Alolo,president of the Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization, said the attack on the Afzaal family "hits close to home."

"I'm a Muslim woman in a hijab and we continue to face discrimination, harassment. The hate crime is real and the fear that we continue to face is actually very, very real," Alolo said.

Naaz and Zia Nathoo attended the vigil with their children. Their 11-year-old sonKaysaanNathoolaid down flowers on the monument in honour of the Afzaal family.

He said he felt compelled to attend the vigil to show his support against hate.

"I shouldn't have to feel scared to walk straight and be like, 'Oh my God, am I going to get hit by a car because of my religion or colour?'" the 11-year-old said.

TejpreetDulatfrom Ottawa said while he's not Muslim himself, he knows the risk of being a visible minority.

"We all need to stand together on this thing," Dulat said.

Rawan Ahmed, who attended the vigil with her twin sisterRawda, called the attack "sickening."

"It just really leaves us completely speechless and I think about my family who are visibly Muslim and thinking that ... it could have been them," Ahmed said. "This breaks my heart."

Federal Minister Catherine McKenna attended the vigil. She took a moment to delivera tearful message to the Muslim community.

"This is your community. You're part of this community and we will always, always stand with you," she said Tuesday.