A 25-year-old woman faces multiple charges after allegedly attempting to set fire to another woman’s hijab at an Ajax, Ontario library on Saturday.
Durham Regional Police responded to the main branch of Ajax Public Library around noon after reports that a woman studying there was approached by an unknown individual who shouted profanities and threw objects at her head. According to police, the suspect then tried to remove the woman’s hijab while pouring an unknown liquid onto it and attempting to ignite it with a lighter.
The attack was stopped when the victim called for help and security personnel intervened. Though the suspect initially fled, police arrested her several hours later. She now faces two counts of assault with a weapon and three counts of failing to comply with probation orders.
Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier and library board chair Piyali Correya released a joint statement addressing what they described as an incident “appears to have been motivated by Islamophobia.” They expressed support for the victim, noting the attack occurred during Ramadan, “a month of peace and spiritual connection.”
The National Council of Canadian Muslims has called for the incident to be investigated as a hate crime, with CEO Stephen Brown stating that Islamophobic incidents have “increased exponentially” and describing the violence as “an outrage.”
Local MPP Rob Cerjanec confirmed he’s been speaking with members of the Muslim community who have expressed concern and requested additional police patrols around mosques during the final week of Ramadan.
The incident has drawn nationwide attention, with Canada’s special representative on combatting Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby, along with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Federal Environment Minister Terry Duguid, all condemning the attack on social media.
Town officials emphasized that the library “strives to be a safe and welcoming space for everyone,” adding that “acts of hate and violence will not be tolerated in any town facility or public space.”
Charges Filed After Alleged Attack on Hijab-Wearing Woman at Ajax Library
