Afzaal family's legacy grows at memorial held by Western University
A memorial service held by Western University heard from relatives of the Afzaal family who are drawing strength from their legacy.
On June 6, four members of the Afzaal family were killed in a truck attack on Hyde Park Road in London.
Police say it was a hate-motivated act of Islamophobia.
Family recall the Afzaals as hard-working, community-minded and always looking to help new Canadians.
“They would go out of their way to help everyone and anyone, be it family, friends or even complete strangers,” says Arjumand Ghani, one of Madiha Salman’s sisters.
Western University’s online memorial service honoured the family, which had close ties to the school.
Salman Afzaal had received his Master's Degree in Health Sciences there -- his wife Madiha Salman was completing her PhD.
“The university has awarded her, posthumously in June, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering,” announced Alan Shepard, president of Western University.
Western has also created two memorial scholarships in their honours -- two more pieces of a growing legacy based on family, faith and community.
Salman’s mother, Tabinda Bukhari adding, “These scholarships will benefit deserving students to fulfill their dreams. It gives us great satisfaction that Madiha and Salman’s trailblazing memory will live on.”
“Salman and Madiha left behind their legacy as a benchmark for all immigrants who come to Canada for a better future,” added Salman Afzaal’s sister Dr. Ayesha Shaukat.
The Afzaals’ nine-year old son was the only member of the family to survive the attack.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.