Shayela Nasrin says that days after Sharif Rahman’s loss of life, she nonetheless typically feels as if she’s moments away from listening to the acquainted sound of her husband opening the entrance door and coming house from work.
Earlier than lengthy, although, the fact that her and her daughter should navigate the remainder of their lives with out the Owen Sound, Ont., restaurant proprietor and neighborhood volunteer units in.
“In each nook of the home, I can really feel him,” stated Nasrin.
Rahman, 44, died Thursday after spending time on life-support in a London, Ont., hospital. In line with Owen Sound police, he was attacked Aug. 17 by three male patrons in a dispute over an unpaid eating invoice. His funeral was held Sunday.
Rahman’s loss of life is being investigated as a murder� and police are nonetheless trying to find the three male suspects.
“They only destroyed a fantastic household. We simply began our stunning household,” Nasrin stated.
The household moved to Canada from Bangladesh roughly 10 years in the past. A couple of years later, they settled in Owen Sound, the place Rahman opened The Curry Home and shared his ardour for meals together with his new neighborhood.
“He tried to offer his greatest on the restaurant — all the time. He cooked with love and fervour, not just for me and my daughter,” stated Nasrin.
Rahman was an extremely onerous employee who was closely concerned in the neighborhood, all the time lent a hand to these in want and liked to offer meals to these with out, Nasrin added.
Daughter left with out father
As police examine and the neighborhood rallies round her household, Nasrin now seems to be to her six-year-old daughter, Shaikha, to whom she has to clarify why she’ll by no means once more be capable of eat her father’s meals, hear his voice or see his smile.
“She’s not expressing that a lot, however she is aware of what occurred to daddy,” stated Nasrin.
“When she was spending the final second with daddy on the hospital earlier than the life-support was taken off, she was telling me, ‘Why does it must be my dada? Why did individuals try this do my dada? Why did dada exit as a substitute of calling 911?’”
Shaikha has informed her mom twice that no meals she’s eaten has tasted good since her father died.
“How a lot ache is inside her?” Nasrin stated.
Neighborhood help ‘superb’
On Sunday, a whole bunch of individuals lined the streets of Owen Sound to pay respects throughout Rahman’s funeral 10 days after the deadly assault, displaying a degree of solidarity Nasrin by no means anticipated to see.
“I’m getting help from the entire neighborhood, not simply the Muslim neighborhood,” she stated. “It’s superb.”
Folks confirmed help for Rahman’s household within the days following his assault, and later his loss of life, with flowers and messages on his storefront, in addition to a silent vigil and drum circle. Messages of help and love have additionally flooded social media feeds for the reason that assault.
“You may think about how devoted he was to the neighborhood. That’s why he obtained all this love from individuals,” stated Nasrin.
Sikander Uman knew Rahman’s propensity for giving again to the neighborhood nicely, and in addition knew Rahman personally.
Uman, a frontrunner with the Owen Sound Muslim Affiliation, stated the extent of help he’s seen is unprecedented.
“I’ve personally been right here now over 35 years, and I really feel that at the very least now I can say, hey, there are individuals supporting me simply as a lot as anyone else,” Uman stated of the neighborhood’s backing following the assault on Rahman.
“We noticed them lining up the streets, popping out for the vigil. It offers a way of aid. Muslims in most communities are checked out because the others, particularly in a smaller place.”
Suspects at giant, however hope stays
Police have been unable to offer updates on their investigation into Rahman’s loss of life, however have stated they’re nonetheless on the lookout for the three suspects — two of them described as being of their mid-20s to mid-30s, and the opposite believed to be in his late 40s to mid-50s..
“I’ve correspondence that I feel [police] most likely have extra data than we’re informed,” stated Uman. “I feel it’s a matter of time.”
Arrests gained’t fill the void left behind within the lives of Nasrin and her daughter, however could present a way of closure.
“Deep in my coronary heart, I consider they are going to get caught. Sharif will get justice,” Nasrin stated. “I need justice for my husband, so my daughter can really feel that, sure, justice is there for her daddy.”