The roots of hate

Many have left tributes to the victims at the scene of the deadly vehicle attack in London, Ontario. — AP

THE brutal murder of a Pakistani-origin family in the city of London, Ontario, by 20-year-old Nathaniel Veltman caused a wave of outrage in Canada.

Five members of the Afzaal family – Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha, 44, daughter Yumna, 15, son Fayez, nine, and Salman's mother, Talat, 74 – were out for a walk when Veltman rammed into them with his truck.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau openly condemned it as an act of terror and thousands rallied to pay respects to the slain members of the family and to pray for the health of Fayez, the sole survivor of this hate crime. There is no doubt this was a genuine outpouring of revulsion at the crime, and of sympathy for those so brutally slain.

A teddy bear and a note for Fayez, the nine year old still recovering in hospital, are left at the London Muslim Mosque during the multi-faith march to end hatred in London, Ontario. — AFP