(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 9/9/09) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR-MI) today called for state and federal hate crime charges against assailants who allegedly attacked members of a Muslim family in Ann Arbor yesterday.

According to the family, a group of assailants began hitting a 16-year-old Muslim student of Iraqi heritage who was riding on a school bus. During the attack, the attackers reportedly shouted “F*** Arabs, they are dirty,” pulled off the girl’s Islamic headscarf (hijab), dragged her to a nearby home, and inflicted injuries that required six stitches on her face. The victim’s brother was also attacked while trying to come to her defense. (Ann Arbor Police Case #09-7087)

“Because of the slurs reportedly used during this attack, we urge local, state and national law enforcement authorities to consider hate crime charges for any perpetrators,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.

Walid noted that CAIR called for similar charges in the recent case of two men who allegedly called a California assault victim “Taliban” and “terrorist” during the attack.

SEE: Arraignment Put Off for Two Men Accused in Assault on Pleasanton Cabdriver

In late August, CAIR reported an apparent bias-motivated attack on Muslims in New York. TheFBI now says it is monitoring that case.

SEE: Feds Monitoring Apparent Bias Case Involving Muslims (NY Newsday)

CAIR also recently reported that anti-Iranian graffiti was scrawled inside a Muslim-owned store in Philadelphia that was ransacked by vandals.

SEE: Vandalism at Penn. Business Probed as Hate Crime
SEE ALSO: Philadelphia Muslim Store Target of Apparent Hate Crime

Walid urged American Muslim individuals and institutions to review advice on security procedures contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.