Picture via YouTube

 

A man tried to cut off the hijab of 11-year-old Khawlah Noman twice while she was on her way to her east Toronto school, she told CBC

 

With incredible poise, Khawlah gave an interview about the harrowing incident that occurred Friday morning.

 

"This morning, me and my brother were walking together to school, and sadly someone insulted me by cutting my hijab two times. And I felt really scared and confused," she told CBC and other Canadian news outlets.

 

The 11-year-old said she was first alerted to the man's presence when she felt him, and then she turned around and saw him with his scissors. Khawlah screamed, and the man ran away.

 

 

She and her younger brother Mohammad Zakariyya decided to cross the street for safety and joined a large crowd of people.

 

The man unfortunately returned and started cutting her hijab again, then smiled and ran away a second time. He managed to cut 12 inches into her hijab, from the bottom up, before he fled. 

 

Toronto police are treating the attack as a hate crime. Hijabs are a very sacred part of Islamic culture.

 

Police are asking the public for help identifying the suspect, who is described as an Asian man of medium build with a thin moustache and black prescription glasses. He is also said to be in his mid-20s.

 

When asked what she would say to the man if he was watching, Khawlah said, "What you're doing is really wrong...I'm a kid."

 

 

She admits that she's scared now to walk to school, but her family's support gives her strength. 

 

Khawlah's mum spoke during the interview as well, holding back tears as she thanked the principal, the school, and the community for their support. "It's just not Canada," she said of the man's actions, "He should get help."

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to this disturbing incident, saying, "My heart goes out to the young girl who was attacked, seemingly for her religion." 

 

"I can't imagine how afraid she must have been," he continued, "I want her and her family and her friends and community to know that that is not what Canada is."

 

Our hearts go out to Khawlah and her family. No child should ever feel unsafe walking to school.

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