Sign of the Times? As reports of hate crimes spike postelection, Muslim women turn to self-defense
Samantha Schmidt for the Washington Post reports on an increasing interest of Muslim women in self defense in light of the hostile climate they are experiencing after the election of Donald Trump won the presidency. One of the specific areas of training requested: “What could they do is someone tried to grab them by their headscarves?”
Muslim women in cities across the country have in recent days reported being targeted for wearing hijabs. A Muslim student at San Jose State University reportedly struggled to breathe as a man yanked her headscarf from behind. A San Diego State University student wearing a hijab reported she was robbed by two men who made comments about Trump and Muslims.
The post story focuses on Zaineb Abdulla, vice president of an organization called Deaf Planet Soul in Chicago. Abdulla has been teaching basic self-defense classes to help other women – including those who are deaf or who wear a hijab – feel prepared and empowered to fight back.
KJ