Canadian rail company under fire as Muslim man was stopped from praying at a station in Ottawa
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) in a statement said that the incident has shaken up Muslims across Canada.
Canadian rail company Via Rail came under fire after a video went viral showing one of its staff, a security guard stopping a Muslim man from praying at a railway station in Ottawa.
In the latest, the security guard who stopped a Muslim youth from praying at a railway station in Canada’s capital Ottawa is reported to have been suspended.
Canadian rail company Via Rail has issued an apology after footage of an employee telling a Muslim man not to pray at an Ottawa train station on Monday went viral.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) in a statement said that the incident has shaken up Muslims across Canada.
The video of the incident is doing rounds on social media.
“We don’t want you praying in here. You’re bothering our other customers.”
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 23, 2023
A Canadian rail company has come under fire over a video of a Muslim man being told he can’t pray in an Ottawa train station ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Sd64cpT9fF
We have been notified of a particularly concerning incident that unfolded recently inside the #Ottawa @VIA_Rail train station, involving a young #Muslim man who recieved hostile comments after praying. pic.twitter.com/A7U15zWwsy
— NCCM (@nccm) March 21, 2023
Looks like a @VIA_Rail employee has some issues with this man saying his prayers while waiting. #ottawa pic.twitter.com/QNMuDL2aKd
— Feez – иди нахуй Путин – 🇺🇦✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻✊ (@feezandfriends) March 21, 2023
According to the Ottawa Citizen News website, the railway station management apologized unconditionally to the Muslim youth and the Muslim community, suspended the security guard and announced an investigation into the incident.
The administration said that further action will be taken after the investigation.
The railway station and the National Council of Canadian Muslims issued a joint statement describing the incident as unfortunate.
The statement said that after the incident, the feelings of a Muslim youth named Ahmad were hurt, and he is very upset after the incident.
According to the statement, Ahmed said that the action of the security guard embarrassed him, it is unacceptable, is this Canada? Is it the country’s capital?
Expressing shame over the incident, the official of the railway station said, “We strive to ensure that everyone has the right to freedom of religion, and will take practical measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”
The railway company also pointed out that it strongly condemns Islamophobia and any such discrimination.
A railway station spokesperson said the security guard was not an employee of the Railway Station but a sub-contractor who has been suspended pending investigation.
