Toronto artist invites Canadians to write letters in memory of ‘Our London Family’

A Toronto artist has launched a campaign for Canadians to write letters to “Our London Family”.

June 6, 2022 marks the one-year anniversary of the vehicle attack that killed the Afzaal family, leaving 9-year-old Fayez as the sole survivor.

Asim Hussain, known professionally as @studentAsim, has already received numerous letters addressed to the family, including one from London, Ontario. Mayor Ed Holder.

“I was at the London Vigil and was very impressed with the turnout of Londoners who attended,” Hussain said. “I thought, wow, are there other ways to perpetuate this kind of good?”

The idea came after he facilitated something similar for the Quebec City mass shooting that happened on January 29, 2017.

“I have received letters from Victoria, BC, to St. John’s, Newfoundland, and a few letters from the United States and other parts of the world. They were so powerful and intense, and I feel like there are a lot of voices waiting right now.”

Hussain hopes that people, inside and outside of Canada, will express their feelings and help create change against Islamophobia. These cards will be instantly available on the website and will remain there forever.

Mariam Hamou, councilor for the 6th district of the City of London, supports this initiative.

“I think people are still grieving in London,” Hamou said. “I think it will help us all heal faster and heal together.”

Hamou encourages anyone who feels inclined to write a letter and participate in this healing campaign.

“Islamophobia doesn’t just affect Muslims. It affects London and it affects people who are not Muslims. So when we help each other, all the different races, it’s like we help each other through our hatreds and our prejudices.”

Letters can be sent via @studentAsim website honor the family.

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