Muslim nurse stabbed in Texas roadside attack

Muslim nurse stabbed in Texas roadside attack
Police in Texas announced a reward after a 25-year-old Muslim woman was stabbed by a white man, in what has been described as an Islamophobic attack.
2 min read
09 April, 2018
Police issued a $5,000 reward for information leading to the attacker's arrest [Getty]
Authorities in Houston are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man who stabbed a Muslim woman in what has been described as an Islamophobic attack.

Police in Texas announced the reward to arrest two suspected white men, aged between 20 and 35 years old, who they say were involved in an Islamophobic attack on a 25-year-old Muslim woman.

The hijab-wearing nurse was driving home from work on Thursday morning when a SUV slammed into the side of her car, reports said.

The woman pulled over to check for damage when the attacker made a U-turn and parked up behind her vehicle.

After leaving his car, the perpetrator, who had tattoos on his arms and neck, began verbally abusing the victim.

"Oh my God, it's a r*ghead," "It's a f*cking r*ghead" and "sand n*gger" were among the profanities launched at the 25-year-old Muslim who then attempted to get back into her car.

The attacker then pulled out a knife and struck her on her arms and shoulders, stabbing her on one arm.

The passenger who was with the perpetrator then intervened to calm the situation, eventually convincing the attacker to leave the scene.

"We hope that anyone who has information about this potentially deadly and apparently bias-motivated attack will immediately contact law enforcement authorities," the Executive Director of CAIR-Houston, Mustafa Carroll, said.

Last week, local US news reported another young Muslim woman was assaulted by a man in a US hospital, in an attack her lawyer claimed was Islamophobic.

The 19-year-old had just walked into the emergency room at the Beaumont Hospital in Dearborn last month, before a man approached her from behind and violently punched her in the head, footage showed.

A video which emerged online depicted the moment of the attack, which showed staff members promptly pouncing to the aid of the hijab-wearing Muslim.

The man, identified as 57-year-old John Deliz, was arrested and charged with assault which the victim's lawyer, Majed Moughni, said was "for no other reason but because she was a Muslim". 

Deliz pleaded guilty the next day.