The family of the Canadian Muslim girl whose story of being attacked by an anti-Muslim zealot while walking to school captivated international audiences has offered an apology in light of the story turning out to be a hoax.
As MRCTV previously reported, 11-year-old Khawlah Noman alleged a man attacked her with scissors when she was on her way to school. A police investigation, however, determined Noman’s story never happened.
The Star now reports the family of the child has issued an apology. According to the family, they “assumed it to be true just like everyone else.”
In the full statement, obtained by the Star, the family claims they “only went public because we were horrified that there was such a perpetrator who may try to harm someone else.”
Twice in their apology, the family said they were “deeply sorry” for the incident and for the “pain and anger that our family has caused.”
When the news of the story first broke, Noman’s family was prominently featured at a press conference about the incident:
Girl's mom, who has been in Canada for 25 years, also has message for attacker: 'I'm frustrated and I'm angry, but ... you know what? We believe in peace and Canada. I'm so proud to be a Canadian... We should live in harmony.' pic.twitter.com/7kqAKUU3E7
— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) January 12, 2018
Noman also spoke about the incident herself on camera while her family stood by her side:
Grade 6 student Khawlah talks about the moment when a man used scissors cut her hijab as she walked to Pauline Johnson Junior Public school near Sheppard and Birchmount. pic.twitter.com/tl4HjGYTx2
— Kevin Misener (@Misener680NEWS) January 12, 2018
Noman's story garnered the attention of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who offered a personal statement on the matter. His office has since issued a statement talking about the “warning sign of increased intolerance.”
According to CTV News, no charges will be pressed in this case.