New York police investigating assault on Muslim woman

By Umar Farooq</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – Police in New York City are investigating a possible hate crime after a Muslim woman was physically assaulted in what the city’s mayor deemed a &quot;disgusting act of hate&quot;.</p> <p>Umber Nisar, 41, walked to her mother's house in Brooklyn on Saturday to deliver some food for a gathering. She was dressed in a shalwar kameez, the traditional outfit worn by women from across the Indian subcontinent, and a hijab, according to a local report.</p> <p>As she was returning home, a man reportedly approached her and attempted to trip her, then kicked her in the shin and fled the scene.</p> <p>&quot;I love this country. This is my home. I’ve heard of such things happening to other Muslim women, but I never thought something could happen in this neighborhood,&quot; she told Bklyner, a Brooklyn-based news outlet. &quot;It’s my home. I felt safe here. Now, I feel like I am on another planet.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;This disgusting act of hate isn't just an attack on Muslims, it's an attack on all New Yorkers,&quot; New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Twitter.</p> <p>The incident took place just a day after a terrorist opened fire on two mosques in New Zealand, killing at least 50 people.</p> <p>The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force was assigned to investigate whether the incident is a hate crime, according to multiple reports.