More than a hundred individuals congregated at Hamilton Mountain Mosque on Monday afternoon to bid farewell to Nabil Askafe, the 16-year-old Hamilton resident tragically killed at Jackson Square mall over the weekend. Emotions ran high as mourners shed quiet tears during the somber funeral proceedings. Following a prayer, Javid Mirza, the mosque’s president, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the grieving family, acknowledging the immense pain of burying a child.
Nabil Askafe, who had recently moved to Canada from Syria with his parents and younger brother, was fatally shot at Jackson Square mall on Friday, according to Hamilton police. The teenager attended Westdale Secondary School. The alleged perpetrator, a 14-year-old whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was charged with second-degree murder after surrendering to authorities on Sunday and appearing in court on Monday morning.
During the funeral service, Imam Sayed Tora remembered Askafe as a dedicated student, a loyal friend, and a valued community member, emphasizing the profound sorrow felt by the teenager’s parents. A close friend of Askafe, speaking on behalf of the family, reminisced about his friend’s sense of humor and described him as a beacon of positivity who brought joy to everyone’s life despite facing personal challenges.
Abrar Mechmechia, a mental health and trauma counselor familiar with Askafe’s family, highlighted the devastating impact of the tragedy on the newcomer family who had sought refuge in Canada from the horrors of war. Mechmechia stressed the traumatic nature of the experience for the family and the broader community, expressing disbelief at the senseless violence that unfolded in downtown Hamilton.
Police reports indicated that the fatal altercation between Askafe and his assailant took place inside the mall near a Himalayan restaurant. The incident has left young members of the Syrian community grappling with concerns about their safety. Mechmechia urged the entire community to take responsibility for protecting its youth and preventing such tragedies in the future.
At the funeral, the Imam urged local politicians, including Mayor Andrea Horwath and MPP Sandy Shaw, to address youth violence proactively, advocating for community initiatives over increased policing budgets. Mayor Horwath echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the urgent need to eradicate illegal firearms from the city. Following the ceremony, a family friend emphasized the importance of vigilance in ensuring the safety of all children, reflecting on the chilling reality that tragedies like Askafe’s death could befall any family.