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The violent assault of a 56-year-old Black man as he was driving home with his family from a Muslim centre northwest of Edmonton has shaken the region\u2019s Black immigrant communities.<\/p>\n
Community leader and human rights advocate Ahmed Abdulqadir told CBC News that the victim, Ali Wahed Noor, is still receiving medical assistance for injuries he sustained in an attack last week.<\/p>\n
RCMP said in a news release that officers are investigating the incident and said \u201cthere is indication that racial slurs were uttered during the assault.\u201d<\/p>\n
On May 1, Noor was driving home with his family after Jummah prayer at the Muslim Association of St. Albert \u2014\u00a0 which also houses that city\u2019s mosque \u2014 when he crossed paths with an erratic driver who overtook his car, Abdulqadir said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said the driver proceeded to block Noor at an intersection, got out of his vehicle and proceeded to hurl Islamophobic and racial slurs, including the N-word, at Noor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Abdulqadir, the driver demanded Noor get out of his car and began to punch Noor in the face, knocking him unconscious. Abdulqadir said Noor\u2019s wife, who was in the car with her husband, ran away screaming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Abdulqadir said it was thanks to Good Samaritans who witnessed the scene and were able to call 911 and administer first aid to Noor. Paramedics then took him to hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn’t believe [it] \u2014 he was devastated, morally and physically,\u201d Abdulqadir told CBC News as he recounted first coming to visit Noor in the hospital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHis wife couldn’t believe it. They didn’t know what to do. They’ve been here over 11 years, and they have never experienced anything like this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a news release on Wednesday, RCMP said they received multiple calls about the assault as it was happening and located a suspect shortly after.<\/p>\n
A 40-year-old St. Albert man, Ryan Richard Lacasse, has been charged with aggravated assault and uttering threats and two traffic safety offences. <\/p>\n
Police said he was released on an undertaking with conditions, and is next scheduled to appear in court in St. Albert on June 8.<\/p>\n
Abdulqadir said he believes the charges laid on Thursday are inadequate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe acknowledge that aggravated assault is a serious criminal charge,\u201d he said in a statement issued to CBC News. \u201cHowever, many members of the Muslim community remain concerned that the alleged hateful and anti-Muslim nature of this attack has not yet been fully reflected in the charges announced publicly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe respectfully call on authorities to continue examining all evidence, including witness statements and reported language used during the assault, to determine whether hate motivation should be formally recognized as part of this case.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The RCMP said a pre-charge assessment package was provided to a Crown prosecutor so they could make their decision on what specific charges should be laid.<\/p>\n
Speaking broadly, Insp. Aaron White, the officer in charge of the St. Albert RCMP, said \u201cracism of any kind has no place in our community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIncidents like this are deeply troubling, yet we know that St. Albert is a safe and welcoming city, filled with empathetic, compassionate people. The St. Albert RCMP remains committed and focused on ensuring our community continues to be safe for all.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Ahmed Abdulqadir told CBC the accused demanded Noor get out of his car after which he began to punch Noor in the face, knocking him unconscious. Abdulqadir said Noor\u2019s wife, who was in the car with her husband, ran away screaming. (Name withheld by request)<\/p>\n
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) has offered its support to the Noor family and told CBC News on Wednesday that the organization is demanding accountability for the family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey’re shaken up and are really frightened and worried,\u201d Yahya Jama, Western Canada advocacy lead at the NCCM, said in an interview with CBC News.<\/p>\n