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Taxi driver says he was attacked and robbed for being Muslim

The attack occured on Saturday night in the Bronx.

Justin Carissimo
New York
Tuesday 24 May 2016 00:13 BST
A New York City taxi.
A New York City taxi. (Nathania Johnson/Flickr)

A New York taxi driver says he was attacked while working on Saturday by a man who ridiculed his Muslim faith.

Sirajul Islam Khan said he picked up a customer in the Bronx at Bedford Park and Webster Avenue around 8:30pm. When they arrived to the destination at 187th street, he pulled out money to make change for the customer’s $9 fare.

Khan told Bronx News 12 that as soon as he revealed his money, the customer began attacking him, ultimately stealing $200. When Khan exited his vehicle to escape, the passenger followed, throwing him to the ground and continually beating him.

Sirajul Islam Khan had visible bruises when he spoke to reporters. Bronx News 12
Sirajul Islam Khan had visible bruises when he spoke to reporters. Bronx News 12 (Bronx News 12)

While he spoke to reporters, Khan had visible bruises on his face, and he told the station that his attacker was screaming that he would kill him for being Muslim.

Khan’s family said that he is unsure if he wants to return to his job, but will install both a surveillance camera and partition inside his cab if he decides to do so.

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