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Hundreds of people walked through downtown Owen Sound Sunday night to remember a business owner who died in hospital following a serious assault outside of his restaurant.
The crowd joined together at Owen Sound city hall just before 8 p.m., some holding candles, lanterns and the flag of Bangladesh, before quietly making their way along a route that took them past Sharif Rahman’s restaurant near the corner of 2nd Avenue East and 10th Street.
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It’s the latest in a series of citizen-led campaigns aimed at supporting Rahman’s family and standing up against violence.
Rahman, who grew up in Bangladesh, where he studied economics before obtaining a masters degree in international development at the University of Glasgow, purchased The Curry House in Owen Sound in 2015.
Earlier in the day, residents lined parts of the route for Rahman’s police-led funeral procession from the Owen Sound Muslim Association to Greenwood Cemetery. Those in attendance said they were there to show respect and support for the family members of the well-liked local business owner.
Pauline Dantas, chair of the REACH Centre in Owen Sound, was one of the dozens of residents who stood on the 6th Street East hill in silence as the line of vehicles drove by slowly.
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“This was a man just trying to do his job,” Dantas said. “Quite frankly, it’s an assault on all of us.”
Dantas said her family chose Owen Sound as a home 47 years ago not long after arriving in Canada from Africa.
“We’ve always felt welcome and safe in this city, and that’s why we needed to show support today. This is just such an injustice. We needed to show love and support,” Dantas said.
Anita Hunter said she’s lived in Owen Sound her entire life and dined at The Curry House restaurant often.
“He always went above and beyond. He was such a kind-hearted and warm man,” Hunter said.
Dantas said she was proud of how the community responded in the days after the “senseless” attack outside of Rahman’s restaurant, and after his death was confirmed late Thursday night.
“This event, although tragic, will be a galvanizing event for this community and bring us all closer together,” she said.
People walked through downtown Owen Sound on Wednesday, Aug. 23, in a show of solidarity and support the night before Rahman died at a London hospital. Another event, called Drumming for Sharif, was held Friday at the farmers’ market.
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The first suspect is about five-foot-10 to six-foot-two, with a medium build and short dark hair. Surveillance footage showed him wearing a blue T-shirt, black shorts and black running shoes.
The second suspect is five-foot-10 to six-foot-two with a medium build with short brown hair that was longer on top. He was wearing an orange T-shirt, black shorts and black running shoes, police said.
Both men are believed to be in their mid 20s to mid 30s.
Police have also provided a description of a third man in his late 40s to mid 50s who has curly hair and was wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
Police also released details of the suspect vehicle, a grey or blue 2000s model similar to a Ford Escape or Mazda Tribute.
Anyone with information about the fatal assault is asked to call Owen Sound police at 519-376-1234. Anonymous tips can be reported to Grey Bruce Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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