An Ontario man named Nathaniel Veltman was found guilty of first-degree murder and attempted murder in a hate-motivated attack against a Muslim family. The victims of the brutal attack were Yumnah Afzaal, her parents Madiha and Salman Afzaal, and grandmother Talat Afzaal. A nine-year-old boy survived the incident, despite being injured.
Veltman, in a shocking admission, told the police shortly after his arrest that he had deliberately targeted the Afzaal family because of their Muslim faith and identity. He also disclosed that he had researched attacks on Muslims for inspiration and wanted to “send a message” to the Muslim community.
According to Canada’s official statistical agency, Statistics Canada, this incident is part of a 72 percent jump in hate crimes between 2019 and 2021. Worryingly, the Canadian Senate, in its 2022 report titled “Combating Hate: Islamophobia and its Impacts on Muslims in Canada,”, has recommended the implementation of mandatory training on islamophobia and unconscious bias for federal offices, along with an increase in government funding to tackle hate crimes.
In the aftermath of the heartrending verdict, the victims’ family issued a statement thanking the communities of London and Windsor in Ontario for their support. The family underscored that this incident was not only an attack on them but also a blow to the safety and security of all Canadians. The sentencing of Veltman is scheduled for December 1 and 2.