Just hours before the city commemorated the victims lost in the 9/11 attack, a Scottish dentist wearing a hijab had the sleeve of her blouse set on fire.
The Glasgow native’s clothing was left smoldering and charred after the incident, but she refused medical attention, insisting that she was unharmed.
Most dentists are simply concerned with the 99.7% of adults who believe a healthy smile is important, but now this woman has to worry about hate crimes, as well.
A source told the New York Daily News: “She saw [the suspect] pull a lighter away and walk away. He doesn’t say anything.”
Fortunately, the woman was able to put the flames out herself before receiving any injuries.
The incident is currently being investigated as a hate crime motivated by anti-Muslim bigotry.
Since the attack, police have released a photograph of the man thought to have committed the crime.
The images released by the New York Police Department (NYPD) show the man leaving the scene.
Police also said that two similar incidents were reported in the same area on the evening of the first crime.
However, it’s not the only hate crime that has been committed in New York recently.
Earlier this month, a woman physically attacked two hijab-wearing mothers who were taking their children for a walk.
Emirjeta Xhelili allegedly tried to rip the hijab from the women’s heads as she attacked them.
According to court documents, Xhelili struck the women in the face and body, and repeatedly shouted, “this is the United States of America, you’re not supposed to be different from us.”
She also attacked the women’s children, who were in strollers, by attempting to push one stroller to the ground and rattle the other.
Fortunately, the 11-month-old and 15-month-old children, along with their mothers, were not seriously injured.
Shortly after the incident, New York Police Department officers arrested Xhelili. She has since been charged with assault, reckless endangerment of a child and harassment. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office has ruled the incident as a hate crime.
While one culprit has been apprehended, the man who set fire to the Glasgow woman is still at large.
“We will advocate for a full investigation,” the Council on America-Islamic Relations wrote.
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