Victim’s hijab ’violently’ pulled off during alleged swarming attack: Advocates

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OSHAWA — A swarming attack on a business owner in Oshawa that police are investigating as a possible hate crime has shaken the victim’s family and the broader Muslim community, which has seen a rise in Islamophobic incidents, advocates said Thursday.

Amira Elghawaby, a federal special representative on combating Islamophobia, said the alleged suspects “violently” ripped off the woman’s hijab and kicked her repeatedly during the attack.

She said it has left members of the community anxious and frightened.

“We are gathered to condemn this latest attack on a visible Muslim woman here in Oshawa,” she told a news conference outside city hall that was organized by the National Council of Canadian Muslims.

Durham Regional Police said a group of teens caused a disturbance at a Pizza Pizza restaurant shortly after midnight on Wednesday and attacked the victim after they were confronted.

Investigators said store surveillance footage shows the group swarming and assaulting a person at the store, and they are encouraging perpetrators to come forward as they seek witnesses.

“It is critical that this latest incident be fully investigated and if hate crime charges are warranted for them to be laid,” Elghawaby said, noting that wearing a head scarf can sometimes put a target on Muslim women.

“As part of our investigative process, all motives, including the potential that this was a hate-motivated offence, are being thoroughly examined,” Durham police said in a statement.

The victim’s daughter said her mother had noted a surge in Islamophobic attitudes at her business, and the family sees the alleged swarming as an escalation of that trend.

The daughter spoke at Thursday’s news conference but did not provide her name, with organizers saying the family is concerned about their safety in the wake of the attack.

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She said she has felt numb since the “vicious” attack, and her mother is still recovering.

“She is deeply shaken,” the daughter said. “The incident has left her scarred and extremely on edge.”

Omar Khamisa, the chief operating officer of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said he was heartbroken and angry to hear about the attack, adding his organization is seeing a rise in reported hate crimes against Muslims.

“As I stand here today addressing you all, my heart sits in my stomach,” he said. “We got this call about this incident early yesterday morning. The details of what happened doesn’t just make me sad, it makes me angry.”

Khamisa called on elected officials to acknowledge the gravity of the issue and take measures to address it.

“It’s time for the words to become actions now,” he said. “We cannot keep waiting for the next attack before we make and move for change.”