A Canadian landlord was fined $12,000—because he wore shoes in his Muslim tenants’ home.
John Alabi, 52, rented an apartment he owned to an Egyptian-born couple for two months. Towards the end of their rental agreement, Alabi told them he would begin to show the apartment to other potential tenants, with 24 hour notice.
However, eight months after vacating the property, the Egyptian couple suddenly filed a suit against Alabi—claiming that he was guilty of religious discrimination because he failed to remove his shoes when entering the apartment while the couple prayed.
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ordered Alabi to pay $6,000 to both the husband and wife, for a total of $12,000, claiming that Alabi “harassed” the couple and “created a poisoned housing environment.” They also said that, while Alabi gave them 24 hour notices that he would be entering the apartment, he failed to give them a 5 minute warning.
“I was humiliated, I was made to feel I have no rights, I was made to feel that I’m not wanted in society,” Alabi said. “I feel powerless.”
Alabi added that the couple never had a problem with him wearing his shoes when he entered the apartment due to repairs—and noted that it took them eight months to file a complaint.
“I have been victimized,” Alabi added. “They are using their religion to victimize me.”
Alabi has since sold the property, partially in order to cover his high legal fees. He claims that, after all he’s been through, he doesn’t even have $12,000 left to pay the fine issued by the government.
“I don’t have the money,” said Alabi. “I work very hard. If they go into my bank account right now, I don’t have $12,000 there.”
AAN Staff
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