On Tuesday afternoon, York-Simcoe MP Scot Davidson paid a visit to the Bradford Islamic Community Centre and Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at to show his support for the community after a hate-motivated attack against a Muslim family in London, Ont. on Sunday night.
A family of five including a mother, father, son, daughter, and grandmother were struck by a truck driven by a 20-year-old male, killing all but the nine-year-old boy.
Police say it was a hate-motivated attack that was planned and the family was targeted because of their Muslim faith.
"The killing of a family in London, Ontario in a hate-motivated attack simply because of their Muslim faith is both horrific and heartbreaking. I am heartbroken for a young boy who has lost his entire family," said Davidson.
Davidson met with the President of the Bradford Islamic Community Centre Javed Akhtar, the Missionary at Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Sagher Bajwa and members of the Muslim community.
"We reaffirmed our shared commitment to ensure our community and country are free of hatred, where Canadians of all faiths and backgrounds can live without fear of violence or persecution," he said.
The Bradford Islamic Community Centre was established shortly after the shooting at a Quebec mosque in 2017.
Tucked away in the corner of a plaza at the east side of town, the centre has a small inconspicuous sign with their name on it taped to the front door. Akhtar told Davidson how the community has purposely done this as to not draw attention to themselves.
According to a survey conducted in 2018 survey by the Canadian Muslim Forum and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, Islamophobia in Canada is still a grave problem.
"We purposely didn't put up a sign up because why put something up there to become a target, so we just put a small thing there" said Akhtar, "it is sad for me to say that."
Davidson was disturbed to hear that was the reason for not having a sign up at the plaza, saying it should not be this way.
The members of the Bradford Islamic Community were appreciative of Davidson's visit and words of support and thanked him for reaching out.
"I know all of York-Simcoe is grieving alongside those in London in the face of this horrific act, and we stand with the Muslim community," said Davidson.
