The Federal Government announced funding of a total of 260,000 dollars including 60,000 dollars from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation to Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration. MRCSSI will use this funding to help people dealing with trauma and anxiety due to hate crimes and what happened with the Afzaal Family.
“I can feel the ongoing trial of the accused significantly impacting our lives as more troubling details continue to be released. I know it may be reopening wounds or increasing feelings of Fear and anxiety and from the government of Canada I want you to know that we are all here for you as you fight against hatred it is not a burden that you should bear alone,” said Federal Minister Kamal Khera while announcing the funding.
Mohammed Baobaid from MRCSSI says, “Basically we are trying to provide one-on-one counselling services. We also want to create a space for the community where everyone can come together and to go through the grief and heal themselves.”
“There are a lot of emotions, a lot of anger, trauma, fear and we need support. We need a lot of support from the entire community,” says Hina Islam who is related to Afzaal Family.
She says she sometimes works with youth who were friends with Yumnah Afzaal and shares the stories they had with Yumnah.
“Until now there has been a lack of support for victim services here in London and elsewhere. This is actually a problem that we have when dealing with hate crimes. So this funding allows community members who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and fear to find a way to cope to find support to come together and get that type of culturally responsive help that they require to get through what has been a very difficult time,” said Amira Elghawaby who is Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. 
Baobaid further said the goal of MRCSSI is to expand their program with this funding and provide more and more help in Islamic schools and Mosques.
Mayor Josh Morgan also provided his remarks on this funding saying, “There will be those who do not understand because they’re either not being empathetic or they’re just relying on hate and fear and misinformation. So let’s be a beacon of hope, let’s spread good news, let’s talk about the healing, let’s come together as a community as we have done time and time again and let’s celebrate an investment like this because we know it will help members of our community heal.”
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