The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a press release tonight that a group of teenage students attacked a 16-year-old girl of Iraqi heritage on a school bus in Ann Arbor Tuesday.
The family of the girl told CAIR that the assailants hit the girl repeatedly, pulled off her Islamic headscarf — or hijab — and dragged her to a home nearby, according to the press release. CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid told the Detroit Free Press that the assailants were five African American teenagers.
According to the press release, the attackers shouted “Fuck Arabs, they are dirty” during the alleged assault.
“Because of the slurs reportedly used during this attack, we urge local, state and national law enforcement authorities to consider hate crime charges for any perpetrators arrested,” Walid said in the press release.
The girl required six stitches for the injuries to her face.
Ann Arbor Police Lieutenant Angela Abrams confirmed to the Daily that there was an assault and battery on Tuesday involving two attackers rather than the five alleged by CAIR.
She said the AAPD had no other details at the time, but would have more information Thursday morning at 10 a.m.
Dawud Walid did not return phone calls late last night.
This is a developing story. Check michigandaily.com for updates throughout the day.