Muslim-American group condemns attack on Turkish man in New York

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned on Monday an apparent hate crime targeting a Turkish man in Manhattan.

"We condemn the targeting of this young man and the hate that allegedly inspired the perpetrator," CAIR's New York Legal Director Ahmed Mohamed said in a statement. "New Yorkers should not have to live in fear of random, hate-filled attacks. We need to stand together to stem the tide of hate targeting minority communities."

The 24 year-old victim, who has not been identified publicly, was stabbed in the chest while walking in midtown Manhattan around 12:15 a.m. ET on Friday.

The suspect, who has not yet been identified either, approached the victim and "made anti-nationality remarks," the New York Police Department (NYPD) said in a statement. The New York Daily News newspaper said the suspect asked the victim if he was Turkish, then said "I hate Turkish people."

Police said the suspect displayed "an unknown sharp object and stabbed the victim in the torso" before fleeing northbound on 10th Avenue.

The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating.

Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect, and have released a video they believe depicts him.