Toronto Muslims are in mourning over the death of Shakeel Ashraf, a father of two and “a gem of a person” who cared deeply about his community and donated his time and money to various charities.
“Always helping the community. He was always asking others if they needed some help, needed some money,” Amin Jan, a close friend of 38-year-old Ashraf, told Toronto’s CityNews.
“If anyone needed any support from our Islamic Centre, our food bank. He was always willing to help.”
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The beloved auto body shop owner was killed in an apparent shooting rampage west of Toronto on Monday.
The incident, which also took the life of 48-year-old Toronto police officer Const. Andrew Hong, left three others hurt and ended with the suspect dead after police tracked him down at a cemetery in Hamilton, Ont.
Community Man
Omer Ahmed, who worked at Ashraf’s shop, said his former boss did a lot for the community and would help fix people’s cars, even if they couldn’t pay for the service.
“He would always be in, like, a happy mood all the time,” Ahmed told CBC. “He would always be smiling, always joyful, always caring.”
Inna lilahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun.
Today, a Muslim man, Brother Shakeel, father of 3, and beloved community member from #Milton, ON was killed. May Allah have mercy on him and grant him the highest levels of Jannah. Our sincere duas are with the family. #Mississauga pic.twitter.com/GMGxg0MfiU
— IslamicRelief Canada (@IRCanada) September 13, 2022
“Today, a Muslim man, Brother Shakeel, father of 2, and beloved community member from Milton, ON was killed. May Allah have mercy on him and grant him the highest levels of Jannah,” wrote Islamic Relief Canada on their Twitter.
“Our sincere duas are with the family. Our hearts and prayers for recovery are with those who were injured. And sincere condolences to the family of the officer who was killed in the line of duty.”
Ashraf’s funeral would be held today. The body of 38-year-old Ashraf will be brought to Jame Masjid Islamic Propagation Centre of Ontario in Mississauga at around noon on Wednesday.