Woman attacked on Montreal subway for wearing a hijab

Rasa - Hanane Mehdi was taking the subway to work in downtown Montreal on Tuesday, as she does every day, when she says she was the victim of a racist attack.

News ID: 2279

Date: 04 April 2015 - 11:40

RNA - According to Mehdi, in the middle of rush hour another woman came up to her and began to berate and push her, saying "You veiled women should return to your country."

In an interview with QMI's sister television station TVA, Mehdi said she tried not to react, but the attack resumed when the train arrived at another station.

"Suddenly, I see the lady who attacked me," said Mehdi. "She started hitting me in the face, which got all red. I felt her hitting me from behind until people got involved."

When Mehdi got home, her 9-year-old daughter Marwa became upset at the sight of her mom's bruised head.

"I was so scared I was sick," said Marwa. "I didn't know it could happen to my mother and I almost cried because I love my mom and I don't want that to happen to her."

Mehdi has filed a complaint with police, but hasn't returned to work since the attack.

An investigation is under way as police review surveillance camera footage.

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