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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.