(NEW YORK, NY,\u00a04\/24\/26)\u00a0– The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation\u2019s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today strongly condemned the assault of a Muslim woman wearing hijab near LIU Brooklyn and is calling on law enforcement authorities to launch a hate crime investigation and to swiftly identify and hold the perpetrator accountable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The victim told CAIR-NY that at approximately 9:30 a.m., while she was walking near the Long Island University and DeKalb Avenue subway station, visibly identifiable as Muslim and wearing a hijab,\u00a0she was approached by an unidentified man wearing a red hoodie and punched in the cheek. The assailant then reportedly attacked an Asian woman before walking away from the scene. The victim has reported the incident to the NYPD.<\/p>\n
Given the rise in anti-Muslim bigotry nationwide, CAIR-NY is urging authorities to investigate whether bias may have been a motivating factor in this incident.<\/p>\n
In a statement,\u00a0CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher\u00a0said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis brazen assault in broad daylight is deeply alarming and unacceptable. No one should have to fear being attacked in public spaces. We urge law enforcement to launch a hate crime investigation and act swiftly to identify and apprehend the individual responsible and ensure full accountability. We also remind community members to remain vigilant.\u201d<\/p>\n
She noted that in March, CAIR released its latest report \u201cThe Right to Be Different\u201d documenting a record high in anti-Muslim incidents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
SEE:\u00a0CAIR\u2019s 2026 Civil Rights Report Shows the \u2018Right to Be Different\u2019 Narrowed in the Past Year<\/a><\/p>\n CAIR-NY reiterated its call for a thorough investigation and emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of all community members in public spaces.\u00a0<\/p>\n CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n La misi\u00f3n\u00a0de CAIR-NY es proteger\u00a0las libertades\u00a0civiles, mejorar\u00a0la comprensi\u00f3n\u00a0del\u00a0Islam, promover\u00a0la justicia, y empoderar\u00a0a los\u00a0musulmanes\u00a0en\u00a0los\u00a0Estados\u00a0Unidos.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Subscribe to CAIR-NY’s Email List\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n You can help contribute to CAIR\u2019s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR\u2019s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal.\u00a0Click here to donate to CAIR.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n END\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n CONTACT\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Afaf Nasher, Esq. CAIR-NY Executive Director,\u00a0ANasher@cair.com<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n