A Muslim woman's hijab was allegedly ripped off in the US by a man who she claimed beat her "like an animal", prompting calls for a hate crime probe.
The woman from Milwaukee was attacked as she walked home after offering prayers. The incident happened on Monday and the victim was released from the hospital on Wednesday.
"I said to myself, 'I am going to die today for sure.' So he gets up from the car and told me to come here," said the victim.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said a car pulled up alongside her.
There was a man in the car who wanted to remove her hijab, or headscarf, she said.
He said to take my hijab, my scarf. I tried to fight him. ‘Don’t take my hijab,’ you know? So he threw me on the floor then he beat me like an animal. (sic)The Victim
The attacker was able to pull the scarf off which later showed blood stains, the report said.
The woman said her attacker threw her to the sidewalk and assaulted her physically. She said he also took out a knife to attack her with.
Certainly we’re scared for our community members. As an Islamic community, we want to make sure our community is always safe. The initial reaction is shock.Munjed Ahmad, Islamic Society of Milwaukee
Those at the Islamic Center believe this was a hate crime.
Nothing was stolen. There was no robbery. Her valuables remain with her. The only motive we can think of - because everything stayed with her and this individual went straight for her scarf - is hate crime.Munjed Ahmad
She said during the beating, the attacker called her names and swore at her. When the victim reached home after the attack, she had a seizure and had to be taken to the hospital.
Police said they were investigating and there was no suspect in custody at this time.
The incident comes amid a spike in hate crimes and assaults targeting hijab-wearing women across the US.
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