Statement on Islamophobic attack on London family

I was horrified to hear the news of a hate-motivated attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario. This intentional act of violence of targeting a family including parents, a grandparent and a 15-year-old child because of their religious faith, is abhorrent. To the Muslim community at SickKids, please know that we stand with you and denounce this terrifying act of hate and Islamophobia.

Islamophobia has no place in our world. It’s important for each of us to bring attention and speak out against issues of hate, violence and discrimination whenever we see it – to support our patients, families, colleagues and friends to feel safe, heard and valued. It pains me that Muslim families are once again grieving because of Islamophobia and that a nine-year-old now faces a life without their family and loved ones. Events like this underscore why our equity, diversity and inclusion efforts are so critical to recognizing that there are many members of our community who walk the halls of SickKids or the streets of our cities feeling unwelcomed and in danger. This is not the story of one family in one city, it is the story of each one of us and our right to live a safe life free of hate.

We all play a part in keeping our community safe by standing together against those who seek to divide us.

Respectfully, 

Dr. Ronald Cohn
President and CEO
SickKids