(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/12/25) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed hate crime penalty enhancements to charges brought against a man in Utah who allegedly assaulted a Muslim woman last week.
Zachary Cole Holman, 39, was charged with attempted rape, a first-degree felony; forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; and harassment. Each charge was filed with a hate crime penalty enhancement.
A Muslim woman who wears hijab, or an Islamic head scarf, told police that she was walking along the street with her friend while holding her child’s hand when Holman allegedly threatened to sexually assault her.
According to authorities: “Holman asked (the woman) why she was ‘wearing those clothes’ and then attempted to remove her hijab, an article of clothing (she) wears to observe her religious beliefs, numerous times. (The woman) said Holman then grabbed her breasts over the clothes and took her to the ground, causing them to fall into oncoming traffic.” Holman reportedly “placed his hands around the victim’s neck and applied pressure to the point that the victim nearly lost consciousness.”
SEE: South Salt Lake man charged with hate crimes in assault on woman wearing a hijab
In a statement, Corey Saylor, Research and Advocacy Director at CAIR said:
“We welcome the hate crime penalty enhancements in this case and thank law enforcement authorities for apprehending the suspect. People of all faiths should be able to go about their daily business without fear of bias-motivated harassment or attacks.”
Yesterday, CAIR welcomed the sentencing of a California man who threatened a mass shooting in 2023 at a Florida mosque
From January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023.
SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024
Earlier this year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]