Prayers and pain at funeral for 17-year-old girl killed crossing intersection near Scarborough school
Dozens of family, friends and members of the GTA’s Bangladeshi community gathered on Thursday for the funeral of Nadia Mozumder — a 17-year-old girl killed crossing an intersection near her school Tuesday.
Her death is being described as an excruciating loss. The emotion during the service, held at the Islamic Research Centre of Canada, was overwhelming and raw.
“I’m very sad. She was my everything,” her father, Azizul Mozumder, said. “She’s a very good girl. Really good girl. I love my daughter so much. I’m going to miss her the rest of my life.”
Azizul Mozumder, left, surrounded by friends and family. (Beth Macdonell/CTV News Toronto)
The Grade 12 student at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute was well known, not only for her volunteer work but for her smile and kindness. She wanted to be a nurse.
Inside the mosque, there were prayers and pain as mourners paid their respects.
Mozumder’s parents and several family members broke down at various points of the service.
Mozumder was struck crossing an intersection near her school during lunch hour. Police say she was hit by a van turning left. The speed limit in that zone is 50 kilometres.
“It’s really tough and it’s really hard. She was very loving and a kind-hearted girl,” family friend Sadik Rahman told CTV News Toronto. He said he rushed to the hospital, not far from his work, after the collision and relayed the devastating news to Mozumder’s father.
Mozumder’s father and close family friends want to see more crossing guards, speed limits lowered and better enforcement near schools to protect students.
“It’s a routine thing and no one is doing anything about it,” family friend Moqsood Hussainee said.
Heartbroken, they still want to speak up about the need for change to prevent others from the same anguish.
“I need justice for my daughter. Never again [do] I want this to happen to someone else,” Azizul said.
After the funeral, Mozumder’s body was laid to rest at the Toronto Muslim Cemetery in Richmond Hill.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.