NEW YORK – A Muslim man has been viciously attacked by two men who yelled “ISIS, ISIS” while punching and kicking him as he who was picking his 9-year-old niece from school.
Mujibur Rahman, 43, a Bangladeshi Muslim, was picking up his 9-year-old niece from school on Watson Avenue and Pugsley Avenue around 5:30 Friday, when the two men attacked him, News 12 reported on Saturday, January 16.
The pair shouted “ISIS, ISIS” while punching the victim several times in the head and kicking him after he fell to the ground, police said.
It is believed that the man was targeted for wearing shalwar kameez, which identified him as a Muslim.
He was taken to Jacobi Hospital to be treated for bruising to his head and face, cops said.
On the other hand, the incident is being investigated by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force
The attack sparked angry reactions on Facebook.
“The Republican presidential candidates, in order to increase their chance of winning, are unleashing hate and violence which will become uncontrollable. Please stop disseminating hate — we all lose in a country so hate-filled,” Marti Michael wrote.
“Going to pick a child from school and getting beat up for being Muslim has nothing do with what’s seen should be reaped. Just because people are Muslim doesn’t mean that they represent ISIS. Does that mean all Mexicans are drug lords, all black are thugs, all,” Farzana Ahmed added.
Muslims make up 1% of America’s 322 million population, according to Pew Research center.
Anti-Muslim sentiments have reached an all-time high after the rise of the so-called Islamic State, formerly known as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Moreover, the Republican presidential candidates, such as Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson, have added to increasing anti-Muslim sentiments.
Trump’s views on immigration have sparked controversy nationwide, especially his proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the US.
Last week, his campaign officials removed a Muslim woman silently protesting at a Trump rally, prompting the Council on American-Islamic Relations to demand an apology from the campaign.