Victim’s hijab ‘violently’ pulled off during alleged swarming attack: advocates
Written by The Canadian Press on July 3, 2025
OSHAWA — Advocates say the Muslim community is reeling after a swarming attack on a business owner in Oshawa, Ont., earlier this week that police are investigating as a possible hate crime.
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.
The Canadian Press