A healing drum circle for the friends and family of a slain business owner Sharif Rahman had an impressive turnout on Friday afternoon.
For organizer Brittany Knight, it was a bittersweet gathering.
The original purpose of the drum circle was as a way for the community to give their well wishes to the family of Sharif Rahman, who was assaulted on Thursday, August 17th in front of his restaurant, The Curry House.
Rahman was then taken to a London hospital with serious injuries, and succumbed to those injuries a week after the incident, passing away on Thursday, August 24th.
“When we heard about the attack, and Sharif was in hospital, I turned to my husband David… and we’ve done some drumming events in the past. And I said, ‘I think we need to do a drum circle, I think we need to bring people together and we need to send some light and love and show it to his family.”
The drum circle had already been planned, and when those interested in participating were asking Knight whether the event would proceed, she figured, “Why not?”
Dozens of local residents came out to show their support to Rahman’s family and friends at the Owen Sound Farmer’s Market on Friday afternoon, to participate in the healing practice of the drum circle.
She says that it’s important to have such a tribute to a person who had such a positive impact on the community.
“Sharif was one of the most beautiful people you’d be honoured to meet. He was super kind, very generous, calm, gentle.”
Knight had first met him when she happened to go into his restaurant six years ago, and they became friends over time.
Police are still looking for three suspects who were involved in the incident.
There is also a GoFundMe campaign that is raising funds to support Rahman’s family, which has so far raised $186,000.
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A healing drum circle was held originally with the intention of showing support to the family of Sharif Rahman and his family on August 25, 2023. (photos by Jill Charlebois)
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