A disturbing incident of suspected Islamophobia unfolded on a New York City subway when a 55-year-old woman was brutally assaulted after being asked, “Are you a Muslim?”
The attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday as the woman boarded a train in Queens. According to a report by WABC, the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Naved Durrni, confronted the woman with invasive questions about her origin and faith before violently attacking her.
“He looked at me and asked, ‘Where are you from? Are you Muslim?’ I said ‘yes’—and before I knew it, he started punching and kicking me,” the woman recounted in an emotional interview.
The beating lasted from the moment the subway doors closed until the train arrived at the next station. Witnesses reported that the woman screamed for help, shouting “Stop! Stop!” but the attacker continued his assault undeterred.
According to a spokesperson from the New York Police Department (NYPD), Durrni allegedly targeted the woman’s head, face, and neck during the attack. The suspect fled immediately after the assault, but thanks to the quick action of two fellow passengers and the train conductor, police were able to locate and arrest him shortly afterward.
Durrni now faces multiple charges, including hate crime assault and aggravated harassment, the NYPD confirmed.
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The victim suffered a concussion, a fractured nose, and widespread bruising, leaving her physically and emotionally traumatized. “This has left a scar on my heart,” she said. “I can’t erase his face from my memory.”
A GoFundMe campaign has since been launched to support the woman with urgent medical and financial assistance. The fundraiser, organized by her child, highlights the severe toll the attack has taken.
“My mother was only trying to support herself and her two children. She was approached by a stranger who asked if she was Muslim. After she quietly said yes, he viciously attacked her without provocation,” the organizer wrote.
The post further explains that the woman does not have health insurance due to recently starting a new job. Her injuries have rendered her unable to return to work, adding to the financial strain.
“The bills for emergency care, medication, scans, and ongoing treatment are piling up. On top of that, she’s unable to pay rent or cover essential expenses,” the family shared.
While the suspect is now in custody, the family emphasized that “justice doesn’t erase trauma” or alleviate the growing financial burden.