‘Violent Islamophobia’: Police investigating after Muslim man allegedly assaulted, called racial slurs in St. Albert
Posted May 6, 2026 3:02 pm.
Last Updated May 6, 2026 6:51 pm.
Police say charges are pending against a man from St. Albert after a man was allegedly assaulted and called racial slurs in an attack that civil liberties group are describing as “violent Islamophobia.”
St. Albert RCMP say multiple calls came in from witnesses about the Friday afternoon assault on Poirier Avenue and Parkwood Drive, and a 40-year-old resident of St. Albert was arrested shortly after.
The victim, who has been identified as a Muslim man by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and the Canadian Muslim Forum (FMC-CMF), was injured and treated in hospital.
Authorities say witnesses reported that racial slurs were uttered during the assault.
“Your local RCMP is taking this incident extremely seriously, and we are investigating fully, including the indication of racial slurs being uttered,” said Insp. Aaron White, the officer in charge of the St. Albert RCMP. “Racism of any kind has no place in our community.
“Incidents 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.”
The NCCM says the victim and his wife were driving back home from the Muslim Association of St. Albert when the alleged “brutal” assault occurred.
“The man was allegedly slammed to the ground, and was accosted with racial obscenities, the attacker called him a ‘(expletive) immigrant,’ insulted Islam, used the N-word and threatened to kill him. He suffered a laceration to his right eye and pavement burns.”
The FMC-CMF says the victim was left with “serious physical and psychological harm.”
Both groups condemned the alleged assault and described it as an example of rising Islamophobia in Alberta.
“This incident is not isolated in its impact,” FMC-CMF wrote on X. “It sends fear through communities and reinforces a troubling reality that Islamophobia and racism continue to pose real dangers in our society. The details of this case, including the alleged use of racial slurs and threats, underscore the urgent need to address hate in all its forms.”
“Violent Islamophobia has continued to be on the rise, and so has the rise of hatred directed towards immigrants across the province of Alberta,” according to the NCCM.
The civil liberties groups are urging “all levels of government” to condemn the incident and take action.
“We call on authorities to pursue a thorough investigation and ensure that appropriate charges are laid,” the Canadian Muslim Forum wrote. “If hate motivation is confirmed, it must be recognized and prosecuted accordingly. Accountability is essential to justice and to restoring a sense of safety.”
The press secretary for Alberta Associate Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen told CityNews in a statement there is no place for intolerance or hate in the province.
“All Albertans deserve to feel safe at home, at work, in their communities and in their place of worship,” wrote Juliana Rodriguez.
“Alberta’s government will continue to build a province where all Albertans, regardless of race or religious beliefs, can succeed and contribute to our culture, economy and thriving communities.”
Police say the suspect was released from custody. He’s scheduled to appear in court in St. Albert on June 8.
“A pre-charge assessment package has been provided to an Alberta Justice Crown Prosecutor for decision on the specific charges to be laid,” St. Albert RCMP said.
