Ottawa Police Charge 30-Year-Old Man in Bus Attack on Muslim Woman

Ottawa Police Charge 30-Year-Old Man in Bus Attack on Muslim Woman
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In a recent incident that has been classified as a hate-motivated crime, Ottawa police have charged a 30-year-old man in connection with an assault on a young Muslim woman on a bus in Kanata, IQNA reported. The incident occurred on August 11, when the victim, a Muslim woman in her late teens wearing a hijab, was allegedly targeted by the man.

The Ottawa resident faces several charges, including three counts of criminal harassment, assault, uttering threats, and inciting hatred in a public place. While police stated that mental health factors played a role in the case, they did not release the suspect’s name.

The attack has prompted outrage and concern within Ottawa’s Muslim community. The Kanata Muslim Association organized a rally to condemn the act, and community representatives have highlighted the need for greater safety measures on public transit. This case reflects a broader trend of rising Islamophobia in Canada; according to the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), anti-Muslim hate incidents in the country increased by over 40% between 2020 and 2024, with a notable rise in the harassment of visibly Muslim women in public spaces.