Latest news with #CanadianMuslim
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Media Advisory: Muslim Literary Festival Connects Muslim Writers with Editors, Agents, & Advocates
VAUGHAN, Ontario, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada's only literary festival dedicated to Muslim writers is set to return to the Greater Toronto Area on Saturday, June 21, 2025. MLF offers a full day of community networking, industry engagement, talent discovery, and career development, connecting Muslim writers who have long been underrepresented in mainstream publishing with acquiring editors, publishers, and literary agents from all backgrounds. The festival also serves as a vital bridge for Canadian publishing professionals seeking to engage meaningfully with Muslim authors and audiences. With the support of Inspirit Foundation and Canada Summer Jobs as well as sponsors, Simon & Schuster Canada and Halal Fest, MLF aims to help Canadian Muslim writers join a growing movement for diverse, equitable, and inclusive storytelling in the literary world. With a mission rooted in diversity, inclusion, and authentic representation, outside of its annual festival, MLF also supports both emerging and established Muslim writers through year-round curated panels, workshops, and networking spaces designed to foster creative growth and professional development. This year's theme, 'Joyful Narratives & Coexisting Stories,' celebrates the joy found in storytelling, self-discovery, and the writer-reader connection, while honoring the rich, evolving layers of identity that shape and are shaped by every story told. Vaughan Studios & Event Space - 200 Apple Mill Rd (3rd Floor) Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 are available here May 1 to June 12 Keynote Speaker: Uzma Jalaluddin is a critically acclaimed, bestselling novelist, playwright, and teacher. She is the author of Detective Aunty, Much Ado About Nada, Three Holidays and a Wedding, Ayesha at Last, and Hana Khan Carries On, which is currently in development for film by Amazon Studios and Mindy Kaling. Poetry Performance and Writing Workshop:Raz Hyder is a Muslim-Canadian-Indo-Caribbean singer/songwriter who has opened for Hasan Minhaj, Mustafa the Poet, Mo Amer, Brother Ali and Shawn Hook. Notable writing and feature collaborations include NARCY, Cat Stevens and Isam B of acclaimed group Outlandish. Abbas Mohamed is a writer, spoken word artist, and community leader. His book, An Opened Heart is a collection of poems chronicling the inner journey of witnessing and giving testimony. Networking and one-on-ones with industry professionals from Simon & Schuster, Transatlantic Agency, CookeMcDermid Literary Management, ECW Press, and more. Media are requested to RSVP to attend the festival. Interviews can be arranged with organizers, speakers, and industry professionals. CONTACT: Contact: Rabeea Saleem - rabeea@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Muslim woman attacked in library by suspect who tried to set hijab on fire, Canadian police say
A Canadian Muslim woman was targeted at a public library on Saturday in what police are calling an unprovoked attack by a suspect who attempted to remove and set the woman's hijab on fire. Officers from the Durham Regional Police responded to an assault call at the Ajax Public Library in Ontario, about 50 miles east of Toronto, at around 12 p.m. "Officers spoke with the victim who advised she was in the library studying when she was approached by an unknown female," police said in a news release published Sunday. "The female began yelling profanities at the victim and throwing objects at her head." Police did not clarify which profanities the suspect yelled at the victim. Police said the suspect also tried to remove the victim's hijab, and poured "an unknown liquid on it," before grabbing a lighter and attempting to set the hijab on fire. The victim screamed for help and the library's security intervened, according to police. "The suspect fled the library but was located by officers a few hours later and taken into custody without incident," police said. Kaley-Ann Freier, 25, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault with a weapon and three counts of failure to comply with a probation order, police said, adding that "she was held for a bail hearing." It is not clear if Freier has an attorney at this time. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, police said, adding that 'investigators are required to consult with the Crown Attorney's office to determine whether the evidence meets the legal threshold for hate to be considered a factor.' Durham Regional Police and the Crown Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to get in touch with their West Division Criminal Investigation Bureau. In a news conference held Monday by members of Canada's Muslim community and local Ajax officials, a statement from the victim was read, according to CTV. "I never imagined that a visit to my favorite, quiet corner of the library would turn into one of the most terrifying moments of my life,' the statement read. "I was simply going to study, as I had many times before, when I noticed a woman murmuring and cursing." According to the statement, the woman attempted to ignore this before the suspect began throwing objects at her, and considered speaking to the librarian, but the "situation escalated" before she could. 'I can't stop thinking, 'What if the lighter had worked? What if my hijab had caught on fire?'" the statement read. The victim also shared in her statement that she has daughters who wear the hijab, and fears that this could happen to them has shaken her confidence in the safety of community spaces. Canada is the leading country among G7 nations when it comes to Islamphobia-related deaths in the past seven years, according to Omar Khamissa, the National Council of Canadian Muslims chief operating officer, who spoke at the news conference Monday. "What happened on Saturday could've easily increased that number," Khamissa said. "Canadians need to know this, they need to know this especially right now as we're in an election cycle." Khamissa said he would like to see every party in Canada come up with a plan on how they will tackle Islamphobia and hate ahead of the upcoming elections, which have been moved from October to next month. In a statement shared to his X account, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said what happened Saturday "is not an isolated incident." "Islamophobia is real, it is dangerous, and it must stop," he wrote. New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh called the attack "horrifying." "This hate-motivated attack is a reminder that divisive rhetoric is a stain on our country and not part of our Canadian values," he wrote on article was originally published on
NBC News
25-03-2025
- NBC News
Muslim woman attacked in library by suspect who tried to set hijab on fire, Canadian police say
A Canadian Muslim woman was targeted at a public library on Saturday in what police are calling an unprovoked attack by a suspect who attempted to remove and set the woman's hijab on fire. Officers from the Durham Regional Police responded to an assault call at the Ajax Public Library in Ontario, about 50 miles east of Toronto, at around 12 p.m. "Officers spoke with the victim who advised she was in the library studying when she was approached by an unknown female," police said in a news release published Sunday. "The female began yelling profanities at the victim and throwing objects at her head." Police did not clarify which profanities the suspect yelled at the victim. Police said the suspect also tried to remove the victim's hijab, and poured "an unknown liquid on it," before grabbing a lighter and attempting to set the hijab on fire. The victim screamed for help and the library's security intervened, according to police. "The suspect fled the library but was located by officers a few hours later and taken into custody without incident," police said. Kaley-Ann Freier, 25, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault with a weapon and three counts of failure to comply with a probation order, police said, adding that "she was held for a bail hearing." It is not clear if Freier has an attorney at this time. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, police said, adding that 'investigators are required to consult with the Crown Attorney's office to determine whether the evidence meets the legal threshold for hate to be considered a factor.' Durham Regional Police and the Crown Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to get in touch with their West Division Criminal Investigation Bureau. In a news conference held Monday by members of Canada's Muslim community and local Ajax officials, a statement from the victim was read, according to CTV. "I never imagined that a visit to my favorite, quiet corner of the library would turn into one of the most terrifying moments of my life,' the statement read. "I was simply going to study, as I had many times before, when I noticed a woman murmuring and cursing." According to the statement, the woman attempted to ignore this before the suspect began throwing objects at her, and considered speaking to the librarian, but the "situation escalated" before she could. 'I can't stop thinking, 'What if the lighter had worked? What if my hijab had caught on fire?'" the statement read. The victim also shared in her statement that she has daughters who wear the hijab, and fears that this could happen to them has shaken her confidence in the safety of community spaces. Canada is the leading country among G7 nations when it comes to Islamphobia-related deaths in the past seven years, according to Omar Khamissa, the National Council of Canadian Muslims chief operating officer, who spoke at the news conference Monday. "What happened on Saturday could've easily increased that number," Khamissa said. "Canadians need to know this, they need to know this especially right now as we're in an election cycle." Khamissa said he would like to see every party in Canada come up with a plan on how they will tackle Islamphobia and hate ahead of the upcoming elections, which have been moved from October to next month. In a statement shared to his X account, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said what happened Saturday "is not an isolated incident." "Islamophobia is real, it is dangerous, and it must stop," he wrote. New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh called the attack "horrifying."
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
'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."
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
'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. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NCCM (@nccm_community) 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."
