The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and the Tennessee-based American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an alleged attack yesterday on a Muslim woman in that state as a possible hate crime.
The Muslim woman, who wears on Islamic head scarf (hijab), said she was exiting off highway 840 in Murfreesboro, Tenn., when a white male in his 40s driving a white Chevrolet Silverado allegedly began spitting at her vehicle and then tried to run her off the road.
As the Muslim woman tried to avoid the man's attack, he allegedly screamed "f**king terrorist" and other obscenities. When the Muslim woman got stuck in traffic while seeking to escape the assault, the attacker allegedly bumped his vehicle into that of the victim. He then got out of his vehicle and reportedly hit her window with his fists, while screaming "I will f**king kill you." When the alleged victim told the attacker she was taking photographs of him, he fled the scene.
City of Murfreesboro police are investigating the incident. (Case 16-10043)
"We call on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to treat this apparent hate attack with the seriousness it deserves and to bring the strongest possible charges against the alleged perpetrator," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
"We thank local police for their prompt and professional investigation, and hope the information provided by the alleged victim will lead to a swift arrest and prosecution," said AMAC Executive Director Paul Galloway.
Earlier this month, CAIR's Houston office called on the FBI and state law enforcement authorities to investigate an apparently bias-motived threat to bomb a local Islamic center.
SEE: CAIR-Houston Calls on FBI to Probe Bomb Threat Targeting Islamic Center
Also in May, CAIR offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator of a hate attack on a Muslim woman in Washington, D.C., during which the attacker allegedly shouted religious slurs and statements of support for GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.
VIDEO: CAIR Offers Reward for Info About DC Hate Attack on Muslim Woman
CAIR's Oklahoma chapter recently welcomed state and federal hate crime investigations of the stabbing of a Savanna, Okla., gas station clerk who was reportedly called a "terrorist" by the alleged attacker.
Hooper said these threats and attacks come at a time of rising Islamophobia nationwide, prompted at least in part by anti-Muslim rhetoric employed by public figures like Donald Trump.
(Graphic: Reuters/Ipsos)