The hunt is on for a man who allegedly spit on a Muslim woman at a Don Mills plaza earlier this week.

Toronto Police say the spitting incident occurred April 22 at the Peanut Plaza, near Don Mills Rd. and Sheppard Ave. E., and it is being investigated as a hate motivated assault.

“The woman, who was wearing a hijab, walked into a commercial business and as she entered, she passed a man,” Det.-Sgt. Jim Gotell, of 33 Division, said Tuesday. “As the man walked by he spit on her.”

“After he spit on her, the man turned around and said something to the woman,” he added.

Gotell said there is “a language barrier,” so it’s not known what comment was made.

“There was no previous contact between the woman and this man,” he said. “So there was no motivation for this attack to occur.”

After “ruling everything else out,” Gotell said the woman’s head covering is the only remaining reason for the spitting incident.

Police have released security camera images of a suspect in the attack and are appealing for help from the public identifying the man.

He is described as white, 5-foot-8, with a thin build, and straight, blonde hair. He was wearing light clothing, blue jeans and white runners.

Anyone with information is urged to call investigators at 416-808-3316 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).