ADL Deeply Concerned About Alleged Assault On Muslim Cabdriver In Virginia
WASHINGTON, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed deep concern over recent reports of an alleged assault that took place on Friday, April 26, 2013, by a passenger in Northern Virginia against a Muslim cabdriver.
According to news reports, and an 11 minute video recorded by the cabdriver himself, Mohamed A. Salim was accused of being a terrorist and a jihadist, by passenger Ed Dalhberg, because he is Muslim. Dahlberg demanded to know Salim's view of jihad and the September 11th terrorists, and threatened to "slice [Salim's] [expletive] throat..." After a continued stream of obscenities threatening Salim, the video ends with a sudden blur of motion and Salim asking the passenger "why are you punching me?"
"We are appalled to learn of this alleged assault," said Melissa Gluck, ADL Assistant Regional Director. "No one should be targeted by hate due to his or her religion, ethnicity, national origin, or any other characteristic. We ask that Fairfax County prosecutors designate this assault as a possible hate crime, and prosecute it as such."
"Hate crimes deserve priority attention because their impact resonates throughout the entire community and threatens the safety and well-being of every member of that group," Ms. Gluck continued. "Perpetrators of hate crimes send a message to their victims, and everyone else who shares the victim's characteristics, that they are not welcome or safe. The Anti-Defamation League wants those in the Muslim community to know that we stand with them in the fight against these crimes."
Hate crime statutes have been adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia. Many of those laws are based on a model statue crafted by the ADL, which has long been in the forefront of national and state efforts to deter and counteract hate-motivated criminal activity.
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.
SOURCE Anti-Defamation League
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