Municipal officers in an Ontario city say they’re horrified following a police report {that a} hijab-wearing lady was attacked in a public library.
Durham Regional Police say officers responded to an assault name on the essential department of the Ajax Public Library at midday on Saturday.
Police say a lady was within the library learning once they allege she was approached by an unknown lady who yelled profanities at her whereas throwing objects at her head.
They are saying the 25-year-old suspect then tried to take away the lady’s hijab whereas pouring an unknown liquid onto it.
Police allege the suspect grabbed a lighter and tried to set the hijab on fireplace however the lady screamed for assist and safety intervened.
A press release posted on the City of Ajax web site from Mayor Shaun Collier and library board chair Piyali Correya stated the incident “seems to have been motivated by Islamophobia.”
“To the sufferer of this horrible act and anybody triggered, harm or disheartened by this assault — particularly because it occurred throughout Ramadan, a month of peace and non secular connection — we’re right here to assist you and to face up towards all types of hate and intolerance,” the assertion stated.
Police stated the suspect fled the library however was arrested a number of hours later, and she or he was charged with two counts of assault with a weapon and three counts of failing to adjust to probation order.
Muslim group desires incident investigated as hate crime
The Nationwide Council of Canadian Muslims is asking authorities to analyze the alleged assault as a hate crime, saying in an announcement that incidents of Islamophobia have “elevated exponentially.”
The group stated it’s in contact with Durham Regional Police concerning the case.
“It’s an outrage that this sort of violence has grow to be a daily prevalence in our group,” the group’s CEO, Stephen Brown, stated in an announcement.
Police stated the suspect was held for a bail listening to, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The city assertion stated that anybody needing assist ought to attain out to its range, fairness and inclusion group.
“The library strives to be a secure and welcoming house for everybody, and acts of hate and violence won’t be tolerated in any city facility or public house,” it stated.
Neighborhood desires additional patrols round mosques: mayor
Ajax MPP Rob Cerjanec additionally condemned the alleged assault in a put up on X, saying he is been talking with members of the town’s Muslim group in gentle of the information.
“There’s elevated concern over this assault and it’s crucial that it’s investigated as a hate crime,” he stated.
“I’ve additionally been in contact with police about group requests for added patrols round mosques as we enter the final week of Ramadan. Ajax has no room for hate of any type.”
The alleged assault additionally drew reactions from past southern Ontario. Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s particular consultant on combatting Islamophobia, NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh and Federal Setting Minister Terry Duguid all posted to X on Sunday to say the incident was hateful and had no place in Canadian communities.
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