COLUMBUS – An American Muslim woman has become the latest victim of hate crimes after she was brutally beaten by a white man in Columbus, Ohio, as she came to the defense of another woman, amid calls for considering the attack as a hate crime.

“She attempted to intervene in another argument between another Somali woman and a white male. When she attempted to intervene, a male suspect attacked her,” said CAIR executive director Jennifer Nimer in a news conference held on Sunday, June 4, at Riverside Hospital where Warsame is not only a patient, but an employee.

Rahma Warsame, who reportedly intervened to protect another Muslim woman from harassment by the alleged attacker, was beaten to unconsciousness, resulting in facial fractures and the loss of several teeth.

According to the victim, the alleged attacker reportedly screamed “you all will be shipped back to Africa” prior to beating. CAIR-Columbus is her legal representative in the case.

According to witnesses, the alleged attacker was interviewed by police, but released without charge. He had reportedly made racist statements to neighbors in the recent past.

40-year old Warsame remained at Riverside Hospital with injuries that include four missing teeth, a badly swollen face, fractures, multiple cuts and bruises.

Meanwhile, American Muslim activist Linda Sarsour has set up a fundraising page to assist in the victim’s medical expenses.

“We are working with locals and CAIR OH on getting Rahma justice but in the meantime please give what you can. Let’s show our sister that we got her back and she has nothing to worry about,” Sarsour wrote on her Facebook page.

“The perpetrator is not forgotten. He will be brought to justice.”