Muslim Woman’s Hijab Ripped Off, Assaulted In US

A Muslim woman's hijab was allegedly ripped off in the US by a man who she claimed beat her "like an animal" and repeatedly stepped on her head, prompting calls for a hate crime probe. The woman from Milwaukee was attacked as she walked home from prayer. The incident happened on Monday.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said a car pulled up alongside her. One man came from a car. That man wanted only one thing -- to remove the woman's hijab, or headscarf, she said. The attacker was able to pull the scarf off and blood stains remained on it. The woman said her attacker threw her to the sidewalk, and then stepped on her head repeatedly. She said he also took out a knife to cut her jacket and her arm. She said during the beating, the attacker was calling her names and swearing at her.

Police said they were investigating and there was no suspect in custody at this time. The incident comes amid a spike in hate crimes and assaults targeting hijab-wearing women across the US.