On Saturday morning, March 22nd, a Canadian-Muslim Hijabi woman walked into Ajax Public Library in Ontario, and was verbally and physically attacked by a complete stranger. This incident is just one case among the approximate 50-80% (depending on the country) rise in Islamophobic and Hijabophobic attacks worldwide, just this past year.

Among the G7 nations, Canada is the leading nation in Islamophobia-related deaths in the past seven years, according to Omar Khamissa, the National Council of Canadian Muslims  (NCCM) Chief Operating Officer.  

“What happened on Saturday could’ve easily increased that number,” Khamissa said at a press conference held on Monday, March 24th. “Canadians need to know this, they need to know this especially right now as we’re in an election cycle.”

The victim of Islamophobia and Hijabophobia, pleaded with library security for intervention and they did try to help until Police arrived. The Durham Regional Police Force (DTPS) arrived at Ajax Public Library around noon, immediately questioning the victim, who remains anonymous. DTPS, then, arrested the perpetrator, 25-year-old Kaley-Ann Freieron, and charged her with two counts of assault with a weapon (a lighter) and three counts of failure to comply with a probation order. Freier is currently in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

DTPS released a statement: “The female began yelling profanities at the victim and throwing objects at her head…. The suspect fled the library but was located by officers a few hours later and taken into custody without incident…. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, investigators are required to consult with the Crown Attorney’s office to determine whether the evidence meets the legal threshold for hate to be considered a factor.”

Nevertheless, NCCM is asking DTPS to identify this incident as a “hate crime.”

The victim released a statement in which she expressed her fear for her own daughters, who also wear hijab and are growing up in an Islamophobic and Hijabophobic society. Fatema Abdalla, an advocacy officer with the NCCM, read the victim’s statement out loud at the press conference:

“Since that day, I haven’t been able to sleep properly…. Every time I close my eyes, the incident replays over and over again. I toss and turn, gripped by my fear…. I keep asking myself ‘Why, why would someone attack me for just peacefully sitting there?’ I can’t stop thinking, ‘What if the lighter had worked? What if my hijab had caught on fire?’ I never imagined that a visit to my favorite, quiet corner of the library would turn into one of the most terrifying moments of my life.”

On his X account, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (Liberal Party) said, “This type of violence is not an isolated incident. Islamophobia is real, it is dangerous, and it must stop. I offer my support and prayers to the victim of this terrible act and am relieved that the police acted quickly and made an arrest.”

Similarly, New Democratic Party leader, Jagmeet Singh, wrote on his X account: “This hate-motivated attack is a reminder that divisive rhetoric is a stain on our country and not part of our Canadian values. My heart goes out to the victim, her family, and the Muslim community. I stand with you.”

About the Author:

Rumki Chowdhury is the Editor of the World Hijab Day Organization. She holds a Masters of English Literature from the Queen Mary University of London and a Bachelors in English Writing from William Paterson University of New Jersey. She holds the honor of being an award-winning published author and poet who has experience in the worlds of publishing, media and academia. Moreover, she is married and is a blessed mother of three daughters.

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The hijab is a sign of modesty that Muslim women have fought to wear for centuries. Today, I will  discuss the historical political battles that Muslims endured  and the significant impact they had on the freedoms women enjoy or are denied today. Even if you are not a Muslim, I still recommend you read this as it addresses attacks on the freedom of women, not just about Muslims.

Turkey

In 1923, when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Turkish Republic, he introduced strict secular policies, such as banning the hijab in public institutions. This is to modernize the country and distancing it from Ottoman Islamic tradition. Thus, the Turkish government presented Muslim women in Turkey with a decision that weighed their religious beliefs against their participation in public life.

The tide turned in the early 2000s, as political parties with a more Islamic orientation, like the Justice and Development Party (AKP), gained power. Women fought years of legal battles and protests until Turkey finally lifted its ban on hijabs in universities in 2008. In 2013, the government also abolished the prohibition on hijabs in public sector jobs. These legal changes all occurred within 20 years following a long history of discrimination, highlighting how Islamophobia is a prevalent issue even in today’s society.

Germany

Similar to Turkey, Germany enforced a ban on women  wearing hijabs in professions  such as teaching, policing, the judiciary, and other jobs in public office on the grounds that it was necessary to maintain state neutrality. Thankfully, Germany’s Federal  Constitutional Court deemed this unconstitutional in 2015, although the issue remains a point of contention. Hence, this decision did not bring complete freedom for Muslim women. Even today, hijab-wearing women may still face unfair treatment and dismissal based on religious bias accusations. Something that is rarely applied to followers of other religions.

Canada, France and Other European Countries

Several countries, including France, Belgium, Kosovo, and parts of Canada, opted for banning the wearing of the veil (hijab) and all other visible religious symbols in certain public institutions, including schools. Such restrictions, like the French law banning religious symbols in public schools, enacted in 2004, have been justified through the principle of secularism, which seeks to keep religion separate from the state. This kind of law, I believe, seems unjust, as humans deserve the fundamental right to freedom of expression and religion. This policy disproportionately affects Muslim women as it forces them to reveal parts of their bodies, making them uncomfortable. I understand how some may argue that such an action ensures equality, which aims to prevent religious differences from dividing the population. But shouldn’t school celebrate everyone’s differences instead of forcing everyone to be the same? This raises questions about whether the policy is truly about equality, or whether it reflects underlying Islamophobia and sexism.

In conclusion, women have fought in many countries for the right to be modest and conservative. It is essential that we remember these struggles so as not to repeat past injustices. In Turkey, women struggle to wear the hijab, while in France and Canada, authorities compel them to remove it. Both situations deprive women of their right to choose and control their own bodies.

While much of the debate is framed around secularism and public order, the central issue across these cases is women’s autonomy. The problem often goes unnoticed when the media solely focuses on countries like Afghanistan and others that mandate the hijab, while ignoring countries where it outlaws it. See how there is no outrage when governments prohibit women from wearing them?

My  message to women around the world is to support each other.  This is the reason I became a member of the World Hijab Day Organization, which advocates for the freedom to choose without fear of facing discrimination or coercion. This  is my first article with them, and I hope it found a place in your thoughts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As an experienced Muslim writer, Sanaa Chowdhury is passionate about addressing the political, social, and economic challenges facing the Islamic world. Through her work, she aims to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations about the issues impacting Muslims globally. Every day, she strives to inspire change and foster understanding, knowing that with the support of her audience: “Together we can make a positive and lasting impact.”

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