IQNA

Muslim Woman Assaulted in Oshawa, Hijab Pulled Off in Suspected Hate Crime

8:32 - July 04, 2025
News ID: 3493710
IQNA – A Muslim woman was violently assaulted at her workplace in Oshawa, Ontario, in an incident that community leaders are urging police to investigate as a hate crime.

Muslim Woman Assaulted in Oshawa, Hijab Pulled Off in Suspected Hate Crime

 

Toronto’s Muslim community is calling on Durham Regional Police to treat a recent violent attack against a Muslim woman in Oshawa as a hate-motivated crime. The incident took place on Wednesday at a local Pizza Pizza restaurant owned by the victim, Now Toronto reported on Thursday.

According to the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), the woman intervened when a group — which included teenagers — attempted to steal from her restaurant. The confrontation escalated when members of the group allegedly pulled off the woman’s hijab and physically assaulted her, including stomping on her head.

“We are utterly appalled and disgusted by the assault,” the NCCM said in a statement released the same day. A blurred video of the altercation, showing a chaotic scene involving multiple people, was published alongside the statement.

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Durham police confirmed in a media release that the group had caused a disturbance inside the restaurant and that one individual jumped behind the counter to steal an item. When the victim tried to intervene, others joined in, swarming and assaulting her.

Investigators say those involved are believed to be youth offenders. The police confirmed that all possible motives, including hate-based intent, are being considered. Both the Hate Crime and the Equity and Inclusion Units are participating in the investigation.

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The attack follows a similar incident in March, where a Muslim woman was targeted in an Ajax public library.

The NCCM said the recent assault is part of a troubling rise in Islamophobia in Canada. “Islamophobic attacks have spiked across the country in the past two years… our leaders must take action to address this wave of hate,” the council urged.

 

Source: Agencies

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