Sharif Rahman is the winner of this year’s posthumously awarded YMCA Peace Medal.
Rahman was declared the winner during a ceremony at the YMCA in Owen Sound today, which was attended by local dignitaries including Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy and Georgian Bluffs Mayor Sue Carleton.
Rahman died in August after he was assaulted in front of his restaurant The Curry House. Three suspects are still at large and police continue their investigation. According to a recent Owen Sound Police Board meeting, progress is being made, though details were not discussed.
Rahman’s restaurant closed for a number of months following his death and reopened on Sunday. The restaurant says on social media they had a high volume of requests the day they reopened.
Rahman’s family received significant support from the community with a GoFundMe page set up, which received $250,000 in donations. The organizer of the page has since disabled new donations.
A large collection of flowers and notes expressing condolences were left at the business with vigils also held.
Rahman’s wife Shayela Nasrin and daughter were present at the ceremony to receive the award on his behalf after he was nominated by three different people.
During the event, YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce CEO Sarah Cowley and Member of the Peace Medal Committee Michael McLuhan described all the good Rahman had done for the community.
“He is certainly very strong in the community in a variety of activities, boards and committees,” says Cowley. “He sat on our board for a brief time pre-Covid, he supported our settlement and language services, he has been active in the employment programs that we provide, and certainly has been a member of our YMCA supporting the membership here.”
McLuhan adds Rahman had also worked to provide food for health care workers during the pandemic and to charitable organizations, supported the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Arden ESL Language School for new Canadians.
“Sharif inspired all of us around him and connected to him through his humble and ongoing efforts to be good and to do good, and to do this quietly and without the need or desire for publicity, accolades or even gratitude,” says McLuhan.
“I wish Sharif was here to see how much this community loved him,” says Nasrin.
Cowley says the the goal of the peace medal, which has been awarded by the YMCA for many years, is to increase activities and actions in communities that drive peace.
“Sharif leaves a lasting legacy of compassion and care for his community, and we are so honoured to recognize him as this year’s YMCA Peace Medal Recipient. Sharif’s name has been added to our Peace Medal Recipient Frame that hangs here at the YMCA, in the hall outside of the gymnasium,” says Cowley.
The medal was awarded as part of Peace Week, which ends this weekend. Last year’s winner was Lynn Silverton after sitting on the Grey Highland’s Peace Committee, Grey Highland’s Police Service Board, the Grey Highland’s Seniors’ Advisory Committee, Grey County Cares and others.