Toronto police say hijab attack on girl never happened

11-year-old’s claim that a man tried to cut her headscarf with scissors drew national attention, including from Prime Minister Trudeau

By AFP 16 January 2018, 1:45 am

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Illustrative photo of a Muslim woman adjusting her hijab. (AP/M. Spencer Green, File)

MONTREAL, Canada — An 11-year-old Toronto girl’s claim that she was assaulted by a man who tried to cut off her hijab never happened, Toronto police said Monday.

The police statement gave no indication as to what motivated Kwawlah Noman’s claim on Friday, which drew national attention, including from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“After a detailed investigation, police have determined that the events described in the original news release did not happen,” a police statement said.

Police reviewed surveillance camera footage and interviewed several residents who live near the Toronto primary school, where the girl said she was attacked by a man who cut her hijab with scissors as she walked to school with her younger brother.

“The investigation is concluded,” the police statement said.

Trudeau had strongly condemned the attack in a statement issued after the girl’s claim made national news in Canada.

“My heart goes out to Khawlah Noman following this morning’s cowardly attack on her in Toronto. Canada is an open and welcoming country, and incidents like this cannot be tolerated.