CAIR-NY Calls on NYPD to Investigate Anti-Muslim ‘Go Back to Your Country” Assault as Hate Crime

CAIR-NY Calls on NYPD to Investigate Anti-Muslim ‘Go Back to Your Country” Assault as Hate Crime

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 8/26/19) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to investigate an alleged anti-Muslim assault and harassment incident as a hate crime.

According to news reports, a white woman (pictured above) sitting behind a Muslim teenager wearing a hijab (religious head covering) shouted anti-Muslim remarks such as “Go back to your country,” and “What is that rag on your head.” The alleged assailant then reportedly spat on the teenager and then throw a cup of soda at her. The incident occurred on the MTA B6 bus late Friday afternoon.

NOTE: CAIR-NY is asking for the public’s help in identifying the alleged assailant. Her photo has been released, and she is described as 5-foot-5, 200-pound female with dark short hair. During the incident, the suspect had on glasses and was wearing a gray T-shirt, gray sweatpants and black sneakers along with a colorful head scarf.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS or CAIR-NY at 646-665-7599 or email info@ny.cair.com.

SEE: Bigot spouts anti-Muslim remarks, spits on and throws cup of soda at Hijab-wearing teen on Brooklyn bus
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-anti-muslim-bus-brooklyn-teen-20190825-winlpreusnhjvpvfcbherqm5ye-story.html

Although Mayor De Blasio has denounced this Islamophobia incident, the NYPD has not indicated if the incident is being investigated by its Hate Crime Task Force.

CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher:

“Racist encounters like this have a lasting effect on victims. I pray the young Muslim sister who had this ugly and traumatic incident directed at her rises above the hatred. I also pray that anyone who can identify the aggressor comes forward before this bigot assaults yet another New Yorker simply for being Muslim."

Individuals in New York are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: https://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006