Expresses Concern Over Volume of Recent Anti-Muslim Incidents Across the City

New York, NY, September 13, 2016 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today strongly condemned a possible hate crime directed against a Muslim woman who was touring in Midtown Manhattan.

According to reports, on September 10, a woman wearing traditional Muslim dress had the sleeve of her blouse set on fire by a man standing nearby on Fifth Avenue. This incident coincided closely with the 15th anniversary of the September 11th attacks and the beginning of the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Adha, and also came after an incident on September 8 where a woman in Brooklyn attempted to pull the hijabs off two Muslim women pushing babies in strollers while yelling “Get the f–k out of America.”

Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:

We strongly condemn this alleged targeted attack and are deeply concerned over the recent spate of violent incidents directed towards visibly identifiable Muslims in New York City.

These incidents have left New York’s Muslim community feeling vulnerable. We stand with them and hope that the sound voices across the city who have condemned such senseless acts will help in coping in the aftermath of such hate.

It is critical that New Yorkers from all backgrounds – from our elected officials to community and religious leaders – stand together against all forms of bigotry, hatred, and prejudice whenever it surfaces.

We are hopeful that the perpetrator will be apprehended swiftly and brought to justice and commend NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force for launching a thorough investigation.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_News