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Even that might have been funny, although too clever by half, had it come from a parody account. But it wasn’t even intended to be funny. It was a filthy insinuation. There is nothing that distinguishes the CBC’s Shanifa Nasser, who may or may not be Muslim for all that it matters, except that she is a damn fine journalist, and she was not alone in reporting the Ontario Special Investigations Unit’s decision, arising from what the SIU called “the exceptional circumstances of this tragic incident,” to identify the shooter by name. Neither was Nasser alone in reporting the contents of family’s statement.

Photo by Hussain family/AP

It doesn’t exactly help clarify anything, being invited to see something sinister in the involvement of Muslim community activist Mohammed Hashim, an organizer with the Toronto and York Region Labour Council, in the preparation and distribution of a statement on behalf of Hussain’s parents. The Toronto Sun referred to Hashim as the family’s “spin doctor,” but if Hashim had a hand in helping the family compose their statement, fair play to him. As events have proved, the family was going to need help, precisely because they happened to be Muslims. It’s a wonder Hussain’s parents haven’t been hounded to present themselves in some public place to loudly swear a loyalty oath.

In their statement, the Hussains express their condolences to the families victimized by their son’s horrific actions, and then get straight to the heart of what is a soul-crushing, heartbreaking and lonely predicament endured by tens of thousands of families across Canada: “Our son had severe mental health challenges, struggling with psychosis and depression his entire life. The interventions of professionals were unsuccessful. Medications and therapy were unable to treat him.”

Photo by Tamara Lush/AP

They go on: “While we did our best to seek help for him throughout his life of struggle and pain, we could never imagine that this would be his devastating and destructive end. Our hearts are in pieces for the victims and for our city as we all come to grips with this terrible tragedy. We will mourn those who were lost for the rest of our lives.”

Evidence may yet emerge to the effect that at perhaps some very recent stage in the psychosis that tormented him, Faisal Hussein had been twisted beyond recognition by imbibing the online vileness of some bloodthirsty Islamist hate preacher. But all that is, or should be, immaterial to what is required right now of the people of Toronto — Toronto Strong, as the city likes to describe itself in the teeth of these tragic events. If the people cannot find it within themselves to discharge the same duty of solidarity and compassion in respect of Hussain’s parents, to enclose them as warmly within the embrace of their empathy as the families of Reese Fallon and little Julianna Kozis, then they should be ashamed of themselves.



