'Our London Family' gym unveiled Saturday
Nearly one year after four members of the Afzaal family were killed while on an evening walk in London, a new gymnasium has been unveiled in their honour.
In a private ceremony held Saturday, the gymnasium — named the ‘Our London Family Gymnasium’ — officially opened its doors, and it’s a community space that is welcomed to everyone.
The gym is located less than a kilometer from the location where the Afzaal was killed, near the intersection of Hyde Park Road and South Carriage Road. The facility is in the same building as a mosque and a youth centre, where the Afzaal family spent much of their time.
The gym has been in the planning stages for the past three years, but its namesake is in commemoration of the Afzaal family.
“Even though a year has passed it feels like no time has passed at all,” said Maryam Al-Sabawi, co-founder of the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia organization.
Members of the Afzaal family also spoke during the event.
“They were very strong supporters and believers in strong institutions for our youth and community,” said Saboor Khan, of the Muslim Association and who was also close to the family. “Not just the Muslim community, but a positive environment where Muslims and non-Muslims can interact with one another.”
For friends of 14-year-old Yumnah, Saturday marked a bittersweet day.
“She would love it,” said Huda Sallan, a friend of Yumnah. “I think the whole family would love it. It’s a really positive outlook on something so tragic.”
The gym was made possible with help from the Muslim Association of Canada. They hope the gym will be a safe place for people to come to, and will serve as a reminder that the community will not accept hate.
“It means a lot that they did this for Yumnah and her family,” said Al-Sabawi.
For Abdull Atif Bakbak, executive director of the Muslim Association of Canada, Saturday’s event was also an opportunity to make voices heard and to heal from a devastating loss.
“This is an opportunity to bring the community together…to console the Afzaal family for what happened to them,” he said.
Over the coming days there are more events planned to honour the family. A schedule listing the events can be found on the City of London's website.
A large turnout is expected for Sunday’s march which is slated to begin at 1 p.m. at Oakridge Secondary School.
The city will also unveil a memorial and garden in honour of the family on Monday, to mark the one year anniversary of the attack.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.