Charges laid after police say hijab-wearing woman was attacked in Ajax, Ont., library

AJAX, Ont. — Charges have been laid after police say a hijab-wearing woman was attacked in a public library in Ajax, Ont.

Durham Regional Police say officers responded to an assault call at the main branch of the Ajax Public Library at noon on Saturday.

Police say a woman was in the library studying when they allege she was approached by an unknown woman who yelled profanities at her while throwing objects at her head.

They say the 25-year-old suspect then tried to remove the woman’s hijab while pouring an unknown liquid onto it.

Police allege the suspect grabbed a lighter and attempted to set the the hijab on fire but the woman screamed for help and security intervened.

They say the suspect fled the library but was arrested a few hours later, and she was charged with two counts of assault with a weapon and three counts of failing to comply with probation order.

Police say the suspect was held for a bail hearing.

They say they are still investigating.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 23, 2025.

The Canadian Press