The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a hate crime charge for brought against a Michigan man’s alleged assault on a Muslim woman in Manassas, Virginia.
Matthew Vinod Malaikal, 66, of Northville, Michigan, was arrested Wednesday for felony assault and battery, hate bias, following a September 30 incident in which he “reportedly used profanities and derogatory language towards the victim based on her religion.” He also reportedly poked her face and grabbed her hand, leaving marks and minor injury.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“We welcome the decision to pursue a hate crime charge in this disturbing case. No one of any faith or background should fear being targeted, harassed, or assaulted while going about their daily life. We thank law enforcement authorities for taking this incident seriously and urge full accountability under the law. We also stand in solidarity with the victim and all those similarly targeted by hate.”
He said CAIR urges anyone who experiences or witnesses anti-Muslim bias or hate crimes to report the incident to law enforcement and to CAIR at: https://www.cair.com/report
Earlier this year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report “Unconstitutional Crackdowns,” which reveals that Islamophobia continues to be at an all-time high across the country. CAIR said viewpoint discrimination against those speaking out against genocide and apartheid was a key factor in many cases.
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 National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com