'We are horrified': Ajax, Ont., mayor and community react after police say hijab-wearing woman almost lit on fire
Members of the Ajax, Ont., community are expressing how "horrified" they are to hear officers detail a weekend attack where a woman wearing a hijab was almost set on fire. According to police, a suspect now faces charges following the incident at a public library.
At noon on Saturday, Durham Regional Police responded to an assault call at the main branch of Ajax Public Library. Officers indicated the hijab-wearing woman was studying until she was allegedly approached by a 25-year-old woman who started yelling profanities and throwing objects at her head.
Police then stated the suspect tried to remove the woman's hijab and poured an unknown liquid onto it. Then, police say she grabbed a lighter and tried to set the woman's head on fire, until the woman screamed for help and security got involved.
While the suspect fled, police say she was arrested a few hours later. Now she's facing wo counts of assault with a weapon and three counts of failing to comply with probation order. Authorities are still investigating the incident.
"On behalf of Ajax Council and the Ajax Library Board, we are horrified by the act of violence ... which appears to have been motivated by Islamophobia," a joint statement from Major Shaun Collier and library board chair Piyali Correya said. "The Library strives to be a safe and welcoming space for everyone, and acts of hate and violence will not be tolerated in any town facility or public space."
They continued to say they're "here to support" anyone who has been impacted by this attack, and that they aim to "stand up against all forms of hate and intolerance." That's especially the case because the incident occurred during Ramadan, which runs until March 29.
Canadian Muslim organizations also shared statements following the news. The National Council of Canadian Muslims indicated it was "horrified, though not shocked" over the attempt: "We are outraged to learn of this unprovoked attack on a Muslim woman. ... We are closely monitoring this case and strongly urge authorities to investigate this assault as a hate crime."
The Muslim Advisory Council of Canada also expressed how the incident "was not random," adding it was a "brazen act of Islamophobia and gendered violence" and demanded that "Muslim women deserve to feel safe."
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