The City of Owen Sound is lowering its flags to half-mast after the death of a local business owner, Sharif Rahman who was attacked outside his restaurant last week.
Mayor Ian Boddy says in a statement, “On behalf of my Council colleagues and City staff, I offer my sincere condolences to Sharif’s wife Shayela, his children, to the Rahmans’ extended family members and friends, and to our entire community.”
Rahman passed away last night from injuries he suffered after being attacked outside his restaurant The Curry House last week, family members confirm. He was 44-years-old.
He says, “Sharif was an exceptional member of our community, who dedicated his time to City and County Committees, as well as a successful entrepreneur, and a devoted family man. His passing is a tragic loss for our community and it is a time to come together with compassion and support. Let us all reflect on Sharif’s kindness and his love of the community by treating everyone with the same generosity he embodied.”
Boddy tells Bayshore Broadcasting News, “This is so upsetting on so many different levels. We want our business community to be able to go to work, to be safe, to be free to prosper. When violence happens to a business person just doing their job, is pretty upsetting.”
He says, “I think more, for anyone who knew Sharif, they knew how gentle he was, how kind he was. he was always positive. Loved his community, loved each and every individual in it and i hope we can all find a way to reflect that love and share that love and be kind to one another in the coming days.”
Boddy adds, “The police will continue to do their work to bring people to justice, but as a community let’s really concentrate on what Sharif would have done and that was to be kind to each other.”
Flags at City facilities will remain at half-mast until Monday, August 28th at noon.
Friday’s Music at the Market has been cancelled. ‘Drumming for Sharif,’ a drum circle for community, solidarity, justice, and healing for Sharif and his family takes place Friday, August 25, from 2:30-4pm at the Owen Sound Farmer’s Market.
For those wanting to support Sharif’s family, a GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with fundraising. It has raised over $145,000. Its initial goal was to raise $25,000.
Some local businesses are also displaying red and white bows in Sharif’s honour.