A drive-thru vigil will be held in Chatham Wednesday night to remember the Muslim family tragically killed in what police have called a hate-motivated crime in London.
The public drive-by vigil will now be held at the Chatham Civic Centre from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is open to all members of the community. The Municipality is asking drivers to pass by the Civic Centre in a westbound direction on King Street to make it easier for those who want to drop off flowers, items of remembrance or donations to the London family.
The vigil will be a socially-distanced event sponsored by the Chatham-Kent Muslim Association. Association President Hassan El Khodr said it's a tragedy and he's sad but he doesn't blame the 20-year-old man who allegedly mowed down the family, he blames hate groups for fanning the flames of hate.
"I hope this will be a lesson for those who ignite hate," said El Khodr. "What makes a person go that far. It looks like hate is a very powerful tool and to be honest with you, I don't blame that guy. If we can promote love, care, and understanding, that is the only way to combat those criminals. We're human beings, we're all brothers and sisters."
El Khodr is urging governments and police to do more to eradicate hate groups than just talk about how evil they are. He is calling for tougher laws to deter those who promote hate.
He also said there are some local Muslims who are afraid for their lives now while others still feel safe in Chatham-Kent and believes Canada is still a good and safe place to live.
"We try to promote to our community that yes, we are safe. Nobody knows when they're going to die but it doesn't have to happen this way," he added. "We created an enemy among ourselves without reason. We live in a good country, we live in a good society. We do not need to go that far in hate that we turn into enemies and begin killing."
Some believe this was an isolated incident but El Khodr doesn't agree. He firmly believes this was driven by hate and wishes people would talk with each other more often to learn about cultures before casting judgement on others.
El Khodr didn't know the London family personally but does know they made the world a better place through their generosity and hard work.
The Mayor of Chatham-Kent is also condemning the hate.
“We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “Hatred and violence have no place in our country. No one should be alienated and live in fear because of the colour of their skin, their manner of dress or their religion.”
Flags at all municipal locations will also be lowered as a sign of respect.
Five family members were run down by a vehicle in London Sunday night while out for a walk and four of them were killed. A vigil was held in London Tuesday night.
The Chatham Ministerial Association is also voicing its "shock and dismay" over the killings.
"The Chatham Ministerial Association is shocked and dismayed by the despicable act of terrorism that claimed the lives of four members of a Muslim family in London, Ontario. We stand in solidarity with all our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community, and pray for the day when hateful acts such as this will no longer happen," said Reverend Mike Maroney of First Presbyterian Church. "We pray for God's comfort for the son in hospital, and for his extended family. May we, in turn, strive to rid our minds and country of all prejudice and bigotry which bring only sadness, suffering and pain into the world."