Members of the Muslim community are calling for more action to combat Islamophobia and hate following a shocking unprovoked attack against a Muslim woman inside a public library in Ajax over the weekend.
According to Durham police, a woman was studying at the library on Harwood Avenue on Saturday when she was approached by another woman she did not recognize.
“The female began yelling profanities at the victim and throwing objects at her head,” police said in a release on Sunday. “The suspect then tried to remove the victim’s hijab, while pouring an unknown liquid on it. The suspect then grabbed a lighter and attempted to light the hijab on fire.”
Security personnel at the library heard the victim’s screams for help and managed to intervene, according to police.
The suspect then fled the library, but was located a few hours later and taken into custody without incident.
Police have identified the suspect as 25-year-old Kaley-Ann Freier of Ajax. She has been charged with two counts of assault with a weapon and three counts of failing to comply with a probation order.
Freier is known to police for a separate incident in October 2024 where she allegedly threatened a man with a machete-style knife.
Authorities say they are working to determine whether the evidence they have meets the threshold for the attack to be considered hate-motivated, and have not ruled out hate crime charges.
On Monday, the National Council of Canadian Muslims(NCCM), along with the mayor of Ajax and members of council, came together to condemn the horrific act that unfolded during Ramadan – the most sacred time of the year for the Muslim community.
The NCCM’s chief operating officer, Omar Khamissa, told reporters he’s upset that these types of attacks are still happening.
“Canada is the leading country among G7 nations when it comes to Islamophobia-related deaths. What happened on Saturday could have easily increased that number,” Khamissa said. “It is an emergency issue, not just for our community, but for all of those who want to live in Canada without hate.”
A member of the NCCM also read a heartbreaking statement on behalf of the victim.
“I never imagined that a visit to my favourite quiet corner of the library would turn into one of the most terrifying moments of my life,” the victim explained. “I feel like I am breaking … the fear that an incident like this could happen to my daughters keeps me awake at night and shakes my confidence in the safety of our community spaces.”
All three major party leaders reacted to the news with statements of support to the victim.
“This type of violence is not an isolated incident,” wrote Liberal Leader Mark Carney in a social media post. “Islamophobia is real, it is dangerous, and it must stop.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also weighed in, saying, “This hate-motivated attack is a reminder that divisive rhetoric is a stain on our country and not part of our Canadian values.”
Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre used the moment to slam Liberal bail reform policies.
“Hateful lunatics like these are terrorizing our communities every day,” Poilievre wrote. “Conservatives will bring jail, not bail, to keep them locked up and bring home safety to our streets.”
With a federal election underway, the NCCM is calling on party leaders to come up with a plan to combat Islamophobia in the country and to treat it as a top issue.
“Every party should approach Canadians with a detailed plan on how they will deal with Islamophobia and hate,” Kamissa said. “To combat the deadly reality that we almost saw right here this past Saturday.”
