Muslim Woman Punched In The Face In Birmingham For Wearing A Hijab

(Picture posed by model: Thinkstock)

A Muslim woman was punched in the face in broad daylight because she was wearing a hijab, it has been reported.

The 18-year-old (not pictured above) was walking along New Street in Birmingham when she was approached by a man in a grey hoodie who punched her in the face.

The woman, Ms Choudhury, who didn’t want to give her full name, told the Birmingham Mail that the attacker showed no interest in her belongings, leading her to believe she was punched for wearing a hijab scarf on her head.

“I feel shocked and really scared that someone could attack you for no reason. I don’t feel safe at all now,” she said.

“I was walking to the train station to meet some friends when someone shoved me from behind. When I turned around he punched me in the face and then just went off.

“I can only think it was because he saw my hijab as he didn’t take my bag or anything.

“I’ve lived in Birmingham all my life and I’ve never experienced something like this before.”

The student suffered bruising in the attack and says she is now frightened to walk through the city by herself.

“My parents are so scared that they’re telling me to take my hijab off,” she said.

“My mum’s telling me to wear a hat instead.”

Police have appealed for witnesses to the attack, which they said they are treating as a “hate crime”, which took place at 7.30am on Monday, November 23.