Victim's hijab ‘violently' pulled off during alleged swarming attack: advocates
Durham regional police say a group of teens caused a disturbance at a Pizza Pizza restaurant a little after midnight on Wednesday and attacked the victim after they were confronted.
Police say 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.
Amira Elghawaby, a federal special representative on combating Islamophobia, said at a news conference outside Oshawa's city hall this morning that the victim is a visibly Muslim woman.
She alleged the suspects 'violently' ripped off the woman's hijab during the attack, and said community members are feeling anxious and frightened.
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.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2025.
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Toronto Sun
21 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Victim's hijab 'violently' pulled off during alleged swarming attack: Advocates
Published Jul 03, 2025 • 2 minute read A Durham Regional Police vehicle. Photo by Kevin Connor / Files / Toronto Sun 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 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. Read More Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. RECOMMENDED VIDEO 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.' World Movies Sports Money News Editorial Cartoons
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Toronto Star
Muslim woman's hijab ripped off in attack involving 10 people at Oshawa Pizza Pizza, anti-Islamophobia group says
The National Council of Canadian Muslims says the Muslim owner of a Pizza Pizza in Oshawa was attacked, had her hijab ripped off and stomped on by a group of 10 people. Durham police said Thursday that they are searching for a group of youth who swarmed and assaulted a person at a Pizza Pizza in a plaza on Wentworth Street West around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
Victim's hijab allegedly pulled off in Ontario swarming attack, police investigating
Police east of Toronto are investigating what they describe as the 'violent swarming' of a woman at a restaurant by a group of young people. Durham Regional Police said the incident happened just after midnight on Wednesday at a Pizza Pizza location on Wentworth Street West in Oshawa and ended with an assault. A prominent advocacy group said the victim was a Muslim woman who owned the location. 2:11 'Overwhelmed with terror:' Hijab-wearing woman attacked in Ajax library The National Council of Canadian Muslims alleged the young people were trying to steal from the Pizza Pizza when the owner confronted them. They said her hijab was pulled off and said the suspects had assaulted her. Story continues below advertisement The group asked police to thoroughly investigate the incident, including whether or not it was potentially hate-motivated. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In their report, police said the suspects had been creating a disturbance in the restaurant. They alleged that one jumped behind the counter to take something. 'That suspect was confronted by the victim and a violent struggle ensued,' a police news release said. 'During that struggle, several other individuals also jumped behind the counter, swarmed and assaulted the victim.' Police said all motives, 'including the potential that this was a hate-motivated offence,' would be considered. Investigators said they believed those involved were under 18 and therefore could not be publicly identified. Amira Elghawaby, a federal special representative on combating Islamophobia, said at a news conference outside Oshawa's city hall this morning that the victim was visibly Muslim. She alleged the suspects 'violently' ripped off the woman's hijab during the attack, and said community members are feeling anxious and frightened. The altercation was captured on the store's surveillance video.
