Will London MP's push for national Islamophobia summit succeed?
London's Muslim community leaders expressed "cautious optimism" Sunday that the federal government will organize a national summit to tackle Islamophobia. Article content Londons Muslim community leaders expressed cautious optimism Sunday that the federal government will organize a national summit to tackle Islamophobia. Sunday marked one week since a hit-and-run killed four members of Londons Afzaal family, and one day since they were buried. A fifth family member, a nine-year-old boy, remains in hospital with non-life threatening injuries. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Back to video It has been a week of anguish for Londons 30,000-strong Muslim community  but there may be some solace in London MP Lindsay Mathyssens motion to convene a summit this summer, which received unanimous House of Commons support on Friday. Im cautiously optimistic, I would say, in the sense that Islamophobia is a fairly deep and systemic problem in our society, said Dr. Nabil Sultan, chair of the Muslim Association of Canada. Therefore, I dont think there are any simple solutions to combat Islamophobia and you really need a whole-of-government approach to it and you need to assess and appreciate all the root causes.  Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Calls from Islamic community leaders and politicians at all levels for a government summit on Islamophobia gained momentum following the last Sundays deadly hit-and-run at the intersection of Hyde Park and South Carriage roads. Salman Afzaal, 46; his wife, Madiha Salman, 44; their daughter, Yumna Salman, 15; and Salman Afzaals mother, Talat Afzaal, 74; were killed when a pickup truck mounted the curb and struck the family while they were out for an evening walk. A fifth family member, nine-year-old Fayez Afzaal, the only survivor of the crash, remains in hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police have alleged the family was targeted because of their Islamic faith. Nathaniel Veltman, 20, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content London lawyer Nawaz Tahir, chair of Hikma Advocacy Group, said similar calls to action were made after the 2017 shooting at a Quebec City mosque that killed six worshippers. We heard a lot of politicians saying after the Quebec City shooting that this should never happen again and were going to act to make sure it doesnt, but unfortunately it did, Tahir said. So we really need to get going on this now because we can never let any more families go through this. Mathyssen, an NDP politician who represents the London-Fanshawe riding, was critical of the Liberal governments response to past attacks on Muslims in Canada. They did not address the widespread hate in this country after the mosque attack in Quebec City or the stabbing at a Toronto mosque. If they do nothing after this weeks tragedy, sadly we will likely see another one, she said in a statement. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Another political voice in London, London West Progressive Conservative MPP candidate Paul Paolatto, issued an apology Sunday night over remarks hed made on social media days earlier in the wake of the fatal hit-and-run. Irked by another former candidates assertion that London is a racist city, Paolatto wrote on Twitter: I take exception to anyone who, in response to this heinous act of terror, characterizes the entire city of London, my city, as a racist city. London is NOT a racist city. This event does not define us. Amid a social-media backlash, Paolatto published an apology Sunday night. It is clear my earlier (tweets) hurt people, and for that I sincerely apologize. dcarruthers@postmedia.com  Share this article in your social network        Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Latest National Stories Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. LFP Noon News Roundup Sign up to receive a curated collection of links and highlights from our award-winning breaking news coverage, in-depth analysis and unmatched investigative features at lunchtime weekdays. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. 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