Pakistan’s foreign minister on Wednesday spoke over the phone with his Canadian counterpart Marc Garneau to discuss the recent “Islamophobic” attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, according to a statement, stated that the Islamophobic attack is a matter of serious concern and has caused anguish among Muslims worldwide.
Four members of a Muslim family went out for a Sunday evening walk and died when a man deliberately drove his half-ton truck into them on Monday.
Read more:Canadian-Pakistani family killed in a hate crime in Canada
Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Afzaal and Salman Afzaal’s 74-year-old mother, Talat, were killed, while Fayez Afzaal remains hospitalized with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Police say the 20-year-old driver was motivated by hate.
Shah Mehmood appreciated that the Canadian government, civil society, media and general public have extended support to the family of the victims in this hour of grief.
This terrorism has caused anguish to Muslims worldwide. PM @ImranKhanPTI has consistently called for greater action from int’l community to address trend of Islamophobia; FM @MarcGarneau & I will work together to counter Islamophobia through coordinated efforts at int’l fora. https://t.co/Xt8vNcpWfy
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) June 9, 2021
He particularly lauded strong condemnatory statement issued by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who termed this attack as Islamophobic.
He expressed hope that the perpetrator of the crime would be brought to justice.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi briefed his Canadian counterpart on the efforts undertaken by Pakistan to raise awareness and to curtail the growing Islamophobic tendencies.
He underscored that the intentional community must show a common resolve against the rising trend of Islamophobia and promote peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony.
Read more: Pakistan vows to combat Islamophobia on International Day of Human Fraternity
The two foreign ministers agreed to work together on countering Islamophobia through coordinated efforts at various international fora and agreed to instruct their Permanent Representatives in New York to work together in this regard, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry statement.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk