CALGARY – The family of a Calgary woman who died in an attack on an Afghanistan hotel is speaking out, saying they are saddened by her death but hold no malice towards her killers.
Zeenab Kassam was among nine people killed in a Taliban attack on a restaurant in the Serena Hotel in Kabul last week.
The 57-year-old was a nurse volunteering as an English teacher, and had been in Afghanistan for a year and a half.
Get breaking National news
Her brother, Karim-Aly Kassam, says Kassam died soon after being shot, and did not suffer.
“That is a relief to us,” he said during a news conference on Thursday.
He remembers his sister as a committed member of his family, who played an important role in the upbringing of his children.
“We have a message for the men who hide in shadow, who connived to compel these young men to choose violence: you have wounded us, but you have not intimidated us,” he added. “You will never intimate us. You use fear, hate and brute force to bring about death. We choose empathy, knowledge and hope to ensure life.
“My sister’s life and death was in the cause of service.”
Vancouver’s Roshan Thomas was also killed in the attack. He and Kassam were out for dinner at the hotel, celebrating the vernal equinox.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.