(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/17/16) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an alleged assault on a Maryland Muslim mother and daughter as a hate crime.
The family reported to CAIR that the mother and her 17-year-old daughter, both of whom wear an Islamic head scarf (hijab) and are American citizens of North African origin, were attacked in Germantown, Md., June 4 while the mother was driving to a doctor’s appointment. The incident began when the mother honked at a car that failed to proceed when a red traffic light turned green. The female driver of the other vehicle allegedly became angry and followed the Muslim mother’s vehicle in an aggressive manner.
In the parking lot of the doctor’s office, the aggressive driver got out of her vehicle and approached that of the Muslim mother and daughter, and reportedly shouted, “Hell no you f**king Muslims,†while spraying an oily substance on their vehicle.
The attacker then allegedly attempted to strike the Muslim mother, who was defended by daughter. The daughter was reportedly struck in the arm and sprayed in her eye with the oily substance.
Before fleeing the scene, the alleged assailant reportedly shouted, “go back to your country, you f**king Muslims.â€
The victims were able to take photos of the alleged attacker’s vehicle. (Montgomery County Police Department Report #16027958) The incident is currently being investigated as a “simple assault.â€
“Because of the alleged racist and Islamophobic slurs used by the assailant, we urge local police and the FBI to investigate this disturbing incident as a possible hate crime,†said CAIR Maryland Outreach Manager Dr. Zainab Chaudry.
She said incidents targeting American Muslims and their religious institutions have spiked in recent months, prompted at least in part by anti-Muslim rhetoric employed by public figures like Donald Trump.
CAIR Seeks Stepped-Up Protection for NC Mosque After Alleged Hate Incident
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational        Â
Subscribe to CAIR's Email List
http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe   Â
Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational        Â
Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/cairtv  Â
       Â
– END –
CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Outreach Manager Dr. Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Nabeelah Naeem, 202-341-4171, nnaeem@cair.com