Devastating heartache consumes loved ones of Canadian Muslim family tragically killed

Tabinda Bukhari still carries the haunting image of her daughter, grandchild, son-in-law, and his mother standing at a crossroad. This memory lingers with her whenever she finds herself waiting at an intersection. Nathaniel Veltman, the man who was convicted of killing her family members in June 2021, showed no emotion as Bukhari emotionally testified in court. Bukhari is one of nearly 70 people who have given victim impact statements in this case. The sheer number of statements being heard in a Canadian court has shed light on the deep sorrow and fear that follows the murder of the Afzaal family. Prosecutors argue that Veltman deliberately targeted the Pakistani-Canadian family because of their Muslim faith and identity. He struck and killed Salman Afzaal, 46, and his wife Madiha Salman, 44, with his truck as they were taking an evening walk in London, Ontario. Their daughter Yumna Afzaal, 15, and Salman's 74-year-old mother, Talat Afzaal, also died in the attack. The couple's then-nine-year-old son was seriously injured but survived. The Ontario city mourned the loss of the Afzaals, referring to them as "Our London Family," and it sparked a renewed conversation about combating Islamophobia in Canada. During the court proceedings, relatives of the Afzaal family began delivering their statements, sharing how the murders have affected them. Some relatives lived in Ontario alongside the Afzaals, while others joined via Zoom from Pakistan or traveled from faraway places like Omaha, Nebraska. The court also expects to hear from friends and other members of London's Muslim community. The statements will span across two days. So far, the statements have emphasized the immeasurable grief and harm experienced by the family's friends and relatives, especially the orphaned son. Sayeda Sidra Jamal, a relative of Madiha Salman, described how the innocence of the son was taken away that day. Tabinda Bukhari and other relatives expressed the shock they felt upon learning about their family members' deaths being investigated as hate crimes. They stressed that the Afzaals were not merely statistics but vibrant individuals. Ayesha Shaukat, Talat Afzaal's daughter, addressed Veltman directly with tears in her eyes, expressing the pain her mother endured when he harmed her. She claimed that something incredibly precious had been taken from them. The Afzaal family had moved from Islamabad, Pakistan to London, Ontario in 2007 and offered support to many of their relatives who followed them to Canada. Salman Afzaal was remembered as a diligent physiotherapist, a devoted husband, and a devout Muslim. Madiha Salman was described as a determined student who remained composed even when she was the only woman in her PhD engineering classes. Yumna was known for her artistic talents and bright smile, while Talat Afzaal was remembered as a loving and steadfast matriarch. Many of the victim impact statements discussed the newfound fears of being targeted for their visible Muslim identity in Canada—a country they once considered a safe haven. Ayesha Shaukat shared how her children can no longer sleep alone or go to school unaccompanied, while Sayeda Sidra Jamal, who wears a hijab, expressed her constant sense of danger as a visible Muslim woman. These fears are not limited to the immediate relatives of the Afzaal family but are felt throughout London and the wider Muslim community in Canada. Many individuals now question their safety and security and wonder if they could be targeted or dehumanized. Imam Abd Alfatah Twakkal, based in London, stated that while he believed most Canadians strongly condemn Veltman's crime, these deaths have left visibly Muslim individuals questioning whether it is safe to walk on Canadian streets. Although Veltman has been found guilty of murder, Judge Renee Pomerance must decide if his crime can also be classified as an act of terrorism. While his murder convictions carry a life sentence, the addition of terrorism charges could alter his punishment. A formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 23.