The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has banned a patron after a University of Toronto Professor says she was attacked and sworn during a concert Wednesday night.

Aisha Ahmad, who teaches international security, says a man hit her in the neck and called her a derogatory name after she tried to take a non-flash picture of the orchestra before the concert started.

Ahmad, who is Muslim and who was the only non-white person in her section, says the people around her appeared to side with the attacker and did nothing to defending her.  She later called the police but staff escorted the offender out of Roy Thomson Hall before police arrived.

T.S.O. spokesperson Francine Labelle issued a statement saying the Orchestra has zero tolerance for violent, disrespectful behaviours and strives to make the concerts welcoming and safe.