(ANAHEIM, CA, 7/23/14) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called for the public's help in identifying a suspect who allegedly attacked a Muslim woman wearing an Islamic head scarf (hijab).
On Wednesday, July 2, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Muslim woman was reportedly attacked in the parking lot of a shopping center in the 4000 block of Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach, Calif. Investigators are hoping that someone may be able to identify the suspect from a composite sketch.
The victim's family reported the incident to CAIR-LA's Civil Rights Department and CAIR has been working with the Long Beach Police Department to help resolve the case.
The victim, a 32-year-old Long Beach resident, was in the parking lot adjacent to the alley that runs north and south and just west of the shopping center and was loading items into her car. She was approached from behind by a male suspect who grabbed her hijab.
The suspect allegedly cursed at the victim while referring to the head scarf as a "hijab," indicating he had some knowledge of the Muslim culture. He pulled and twisted the hijab as he attempted to remove it, which choked the victim and caused scratches and abrasions to her neck. The suspect then walked southbound down the alley with the hijab.
The Long Beach Police Department held a press conference today detailing the incident and seeking the public's help to identify the suspect. The victim was able to provide a description of the suspect, and worked with detectives to create a composite sketch. The suspect is described as follows:
* A male white in his 30's
* Approximately 5'8" to 5'9" tall
* A thin build
* Short brown hair and brown eyes
* A trimmed brown mustache and beard
* Wearing a white buttoned-up shirt, black pants, and possibly black shoes
CAIR's New York and Michigan chapters reported similar incidents recently.
Video: CAIR-MI Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Muslim Woman at Mall
Video: CAIR-NY Joins Officials, Community Leaders to Condemn Hate Incidents
Anyone with information should contact the L.B.P.D.'s Violent Crimes Detail at (562) 570-7250. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
CAIR is the nation's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
– END –
CONTACT:CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Ojaala Ahmad, 714-776-1847, email: oahmad@cair.com