By Canadian Press

Toronto Syrian restaurant that closed over threats set to reopen today

Oct 11, 2019 | 10:02 AM

TORONTO — A popular Syrian restaurant in downtown Toronto is set to reopen today, just days after its owners said a flood of hate messages had forced them to close.

Members of the Alsoufi family say an outpouring of support from people across the country convinced them to reconsider their decision to shut down Soufi’s.

Husam Alsoufi said Thursday his family wants to be an example of hope and resilience in the face of intimidation.

Meantime, Toronto police are investigating a complaint from the family, who said they handed over hundreds of threatening messages to the department.

The Alsoufis have linked those threats to a September event in Hamilton featuring People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier that drew a crowd of angry protesters.

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Media reports said the family’s eldest son was among the demonstrators at the Sept. 29 event, which set off a wave of outrage after a video shared online showed masked protesters blocking the path of an elderly woman with a walker.

The head of a local Middle Eastern restaurant chain, Paramount Fine Foods, has offered to run the eatery until the Alsoufis feel safe again, but Mohamad Fakih has said the Alsoufis will retain ownership and receive all the profits.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2019.

The Canadian Press