A Bangladeshi-Canadian Muslim woman has accused Flair Airlines of religious discrimination after allegedly being forced to remove her hijab in public by a staff member at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Tanuka Javed, a long-time resident of Winnipeg, Manitoba, says the incident occurred while she and her husband were returning from a trip to Bangladesh.
During the boarding process for Flair Airlines Flight F8641 at Gate B3 inside Toronto Pearson International Airport, a staff member allegedly insisted that she remove her hijab to match her appearance with her passport photo, which was taken many years ago when she did not wear the religious covering.
Tanuka Javen , a proud Canadian citizen for nearly 30 years, said she was humiliated by the public demand to remove her hijab, calling it “not only ignorant but a clear act of discrimination.”
“This is the first time we’ve experienced such blatant hatred in this country,” Javed said. “The staff member asked me to remove my hijab in front of others. If there were any doubts, the situation could have been handled privately by a female officer. Transport Canada regulations do not require a hijab to be removed if the face is clearly visible.”
The Family’s Demands
In response to the incident, Javed and her family have made three formal demands:
- A public and official apology from Flair Airlines
- Immediate disciplinary action against the involved staff member
- Mandatory training for Flair employees on religious tolerance and human rights
The family has already filed an official complaint with Transport Canada and is urging fellow Canadians to speak out against religious discrimination and show solidarity.
“This is not just about our family,” said Javed’s husband. “It is about protecting the rights of all Canadians in a multicultural society.”
Public Reaction and Community Outcry
The incident has sparked a wave of outrage across Canadian social media platforms, particularly within the Bangladeshi-Canadian and broader Muslim communities.
Many are calling this not an isolated incident, but a serious breach of the values enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees religious liberty and human dignity.
“If such incidents can happen in Canada — a country known for its inclusivity — it raises serious questions about accountability and training within our institutions,” wrote one social media user.
As of this report, Flair Airlines has not released an official statement regarding the incident.
