Ottawa Police Charge Man in Bus Attack on Muslim Woman
Authorities said on Wednesday the Ottawa resident faces multiple charges, including three counts of criminal harassment, along with assault, uttering threats, and inciting hatred in a public place.
Police said that mental health factors played a role in the case but did not release the suspect’s name. He appeared before court the same day, according to CBC News.
The incident happened on August 11, when the victim, a hijabi Muslim woman in her late teens, was targeted by a man described at the time as a thin white male unknown to her.
Police characterized the case as a “hate-motivated incident” following initial investigations.
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Members of Ottawa’s Muslim community have expressed shock and concern. The Kanata Muslim Association organized a rally soon after the attack, condemning Islamophobia and urging stronger measures to ensure the safety of passengers on public transit.
The victim has not spoken publicly but community representatives told CBC she was left shaken.
This case comes amid mounting evidence of growing Islamophobia in Canada. The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) reported earlier this year that anti-Muslim hate incidents had risen by more than 40 percent between 2020 and 2024, with a marked increase in harassment of visibly Muslim women in public spaces.
Source: Agencies
