Elderly Muslim woman targeted in horrific London, Ontario hate incident

Just days before London, Ontario, marks the sombre four-year anniversary of a terrorist attack that claimed the lives of a Muslim family, the city is once again grappling with a disturbing act of hate.

An elderly Muslim woman was subjected to a terrifying ordeal on her own driveway, spat upon, told to "go back to your country," and threatened with arson by an assailant who vowed to return and burn down her home.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) swiftly condemned the incident, characterizing it not merely as hate, but as "terror."

In a statement released shortly after the attack, the NCCM highlighted the chilling proximity of this event to the anniversary of the vehicular terror attack that murdered three generations of the Afzaal family in London.

"We said no more. And yet, here we are," the NCCM stated, underscoring a deep frustration with the persistent nature of Islamophobia.

The incident, which has been reported to London Police, saw the perpetrator promise to return the same night to carry out his threat of arson.

The London Free Press has reported that London Police are actively investigating the incident and are seeking the man involved.

The NCCM is not calling for "more thoughts and prayers," but rather for "clear action."

They have urged every political leader to unequivocally condemn this act of hate and to commit to tangible measures to combat Islamophobia.

"We cannot afford another tragedy. Hate can’t keep going unchecked," the NCCM emphasized, reflecting a widespread fear within the Muslim community that unchecked hate can escalate into violence.

The organization has specifically called on London Police to investigate this incident as a hate-motivated crime, a crucial step in recognizing the underlying prejudice that fuels such attacks.

The community awaits further developments from the police investigation and expects a robust response from authorities and political leaders alike.

This incident serves as a stark reminder that the fight against Islamophobia and all forms of hate must remain a priority, demanding concrete action to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.