A man from Toronto has been formally accused of assault causing bodily harm and making threats following a violent incident last month at a hotel in Markham. The assault, deemed a hate-motivated attack by authorities, targeted a Muslim hotel worker, as reported by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).
According to the NCCM, the victim was questioned about his ethnic and religious background by a hotel guest. Upon revealing he was Muslim, the victim was physically assaulted, resulting in severe and life-altering injuries, as described by the NCCM.
Amira Elghawaby, the Canadian special representative for combating Islamophobia, condemned the assault as “horrifying and vicious,” noting the victim’s potentially irreparable injuries. Elghawaby emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of Canadian Muslims and addressing the ongoing threat of Islamophobia.
The incident, as detailed by York Regional Police in a recent press release, occurred at a hotel in close proximity to Highway 7 E. and Commerce Valley Drive W. on September 28. Authorities responded to a reported assault involving an intoxicated guest behaving aggressively towards an employee.
Upon arrival, the police discovered the injured 54-year-old employee and apprehended the 31-year-old suspect nearby. The victim sustained serious head injuries and was transported to a trauma center for treatment. Investigations revealed that the suspect’s behavior escalated after a dispute over a declined credit card payment, with the victim being targeted once his Muslim identity was disclosed.
York Regional Police strongly condemned the hate-driven nature of the attack and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding all community members. The NCCM expressed solidarity with the victim’s family and called for tangible actions against the rising incidents of hate crimes in Canada.
The NCCM urged elected officials to refrain from using Islamophobic language and insinuations questioning the place of Muslims in Canada, citing the detrimental impact of such rhetoric on fostering Islamophobia. Ontario Premier Doug Ford also denounced the act of hate and pledged support for the Muslim community, emphasizing the importance of combating Islamophobia.
Authorities emphasized their dedication to thoroughly investigating all reports of hate crimes or bias incidents and encouraged residents to promptly report any such occurrences for immediate police intervention.