Muslim hotel worker assaulted in Markham in alleged hate-motivated attack

A 54-year-old Muslim man working at a hotel in Markham sustained serious injuries in an assault on September 28 that police are treating as a hate-motivated attack.

According to York Regional Police, officers responded at about 3 a.m. to a report of an assault at a hotel near Highway 7 East and Commerce Valley Drive West.

When they arrived, they found the hotel employee suffering from serious head injuries.

Police allege that an intoxicated guest — aged 31 — became aggressive after his credit card was declined while trying to pay for his room.

A verbal altercation ensued. Investigators say the guest’s “demeanour changed” after learning that the employee was Muslim.

Police further allege the suspect threatened to kill the victim, pursued him into a room, and attacked him violently.

As a result of the attack, the victim reportedly suffered a skull fracture, had broken teeth, and will need his jaw wired shut during recovery.

There is concern that he may never fully regain vision in one eye.

The suspect faces charges including assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats.

The case remains under investigation, and York Regional Police’s hate crime unit is involved.

Family members held a press conference in Toronto, expressing fear and anguish over the attack.

The victim’s wife, speaking on behalf of the family, said she had watched her husband struggle just to breathe or speak, and appealed for justice so no one else has to endure such suffering.

The family did not provide their names, citing safety concerns.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) has sounded the alarm over rising Islamophobic incidents, noting that Islamophobic hate crimes have increased by 35 percent year over year.

Spokesperson Steven Zhou called the attack “heinous” and demanded accountability.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti condemned the assault, saying “Islamophobia and hate has no room, has no home, in Markham.”

Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s special representative on combating Islamophobia, called for immediate and urgent action to address systemic hatred.

Advocates believe this case is part of a worrying trend of hate against Muslim Canadians.

The NCCM has urged policymakers, law enforcement, and societal leaders to treat Islamophobia with the seriousness it deserves.

York Regional Police continue to seek witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

As the legal process unfolds, many in the Muslim community will be closely watching for how the case is prosecuted and whether it leads to concrete measures against Islamophobic violence.