Muslim group wants action, data on hate crimes

A council member of the Muslim Association of Canada says thoughts and prayers are not enough.

Our hearts and prayers are with victims, their family & our grieving community. We cannot stand by as actions instigated by hatred claim the lives of Canadians
We need immediate action to stop these Islamophobic hateful attacks.https://t.co/skndPQEzgC pic.twitter.com/Pm4wIfSLIN

— Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) (@MACNational) June 7, 2021

Rania Lawendy says government leaders need to take direct action instead of simply expressing condolences after five members of a Muslim family were struck by a truck in London, Ont.

Four of them were killed and a nine-year-old boy was seriously injured.

Police have said a man driving the truck targeted the family because of their faith.

Lawendy says Islamophobia continues to be on the rise, and the federal government needs to address white supremacy as a major threat.

She says the government also needs to begin collecting thorough data on hate crimes across the country to understand why there has been a significant spike in reported crimes.