Despite repeated requests by Madkour for an additional five-minute warning so his wife had time to put on modest attire before the viewings, the landlord John Alabi — a Christian, according to the ruling — would only provide blocks of time that prospective tenants would be coming, with 24 hours’ notice.

The tribunal found Alabi discriminated against the couple when he failed to comply with their request that he remove his shoes when he entered their apartment and especially when he entered the prayer space in the bedroom, which must be kept “free of any contamination, including any discharge from humans or animals.”

Although the landlord insisted he was wearing indoor shoes and that he had removed rubber coverings on the shoes when he entered the couple’s apartment, that was disputed by the couple, who videotaped Alabi during one of the viewings.

On the video, the tribunal said, Ismail could be heard telling Alabi he should remove his shoes as she and her husband prayed in the bedroom, adding that it was disrespectful and an act of racism not to do so. However, the respondent could be seen wearing shoes on the video whereas the prospective tenant was in socks, noted the tribunal.

“The respondent’s refusal to remove the shoes when walking into the applicants’ prayer space represented vexatious conduct linked to the applicants’ religion that was known to be unwelcome,” said the tribunal.

“There is no doubt that the respondent knew that the conduct was unwelcome as the applicants told him so a number of times.”

Peta-Gaye Drummond, Alabi’s counsel, said her client was disappointed at the tribunal decision, feeling it was unjust.

“He has maintained that the accusations against him arise out of misunderstanding. In his 15 years as a landlord, he has rented to so many people from different ethnic origins and has not had this kind of dispute being labelled a discriminator,” she said. “He was sympathetic to the tenants, but maintains his innocence.”

Drummond said her client is considering filing a request for reconsideration to the tribunal, which must be submitted in 30 days.

In an interview, Madkour said he and his wife never intended to create trouble or inconvenience, and are relieved the case is over.

“I feel the page is closed. It was a painful experience for my wife. We just wanted to forget about the case and move on,” said Madkour, who along with his wife has since moved to a different city.

“We are happy with the tribunal decision because it proved that if you are genuine, you get your rights. We didn’t do anything wrong. Being different is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Ismail, who immigrated to Canada in 2012, said she and her husband had not experienced discrimination and racism in the country.

“It was not about money,” she said. “We don’t want anyone in the future to have the same experience. No one should be able to get away with it.”

Alabi has also been ordered to take the Ontario Rights Commission’s online courses, “Human Rights in Rental Housing” and “Policy on Human Rights and Rental Housing,” within 30 days.