Yellowknife (Aug 04/06) - Last week, Zafar Malik was the sole survivor of a car accident that killed five fellow Muslim missionaries.

The accident occurred while the group was returning home to Toronto from a trip to Inuvik, which concluded a nationwide journey to share their religion.

Inuvik's Abdallah El-Bekai stands with Zafar Malik of Toronto on Friday afternoon. Malik was the only survivor of a car crash on the Dempster highway, which killed five other Muslim visitors who were on a journey to share their religion. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Shortly after they departed Inuvik their vehicle lost control on the Dempster Highway.

Malik was brought to the Inuvik hospital for his wounds, and is thankful to the staff of the hospital and the people who helped him.

"I am very grateful for their kind words, and their help during the last week," said Malik.

He said the RCMP officers that assisted at the site of the accident were helpful and quick. Malik, though, did not want to talk in detail about the accident that claimed five of his friends.

For Malik, the journey to Inuvik was new, but he has been travelling to many other communities in Canada to meet new brothers under the Muslim faith.

"I did not know these men here, that I came to see. We are only related as brothers under Allah," said Malik.

Even though the two groups had never met, Malik said the hospitality of Inuvik's Muslim community was very welcoming.

"Being a good Muslim is about caring and sharing with others," explained Malik.

Malik spent two nights in the Inuvik hospital after the accident and returned to Toronto via plane on Sunday afternoon, after meeting with his new friends.

Even though he has a full time job in Toronto, Malik said he always finds time to travel and meet new people.

The five other people in the car were Noaman Sidat, Muhammad Kham, Azmat Sheikh, Muhammad Saeed of Toronto, and Khalid Malik of Whitehorse.