Bartamaha (Columbus):- Federal and local authorities are investigating a possible hate crime after a Muslim woman said she was verbally harassed and pepper sprayed on Monday outside of an Islamic center on the city’s west side.

According to a news release issued by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the attack happened at about 1:30 p.m. near the Abubaker Siddique Islamic Center on Sullivant Avenue.

The woman, 20, who asked not to be identified, told authorities that she first noticed a man who appeared to be watching and following her, 10TV’s Maureen Kocot reported.

“I had a bad feeling about the man while I was driving,” she said.  “He looked at me in a very strange way.”

According to the woman, the man followed her to the Abubaker Siddique Islamic Center, where he got out of his vehicle and approached her.

“He just started yelling at me, cursing me out,” she said. “Saying he’s going to kill me, and saying, ‘I’m going to kill all of you, all you guys.  Tell the Muslims to go back from wherever they are from.’”

Watch Surveillance Video

The woman, who was wearing Islamic attire, told 10TV News that the man then used pepper spray on her.

“He took the spray and just sprayed it all over me,” she said.  “Like, all over me.  My whole eyes, my whole face, everything.”

The man was not apprehended.

In its news release, CAIR representatives said that the incident was recorded by a surveillance camera.

Romin Iqbal, CAIR-Ohio staff attorney, said Monday’s attack was the latest in a string of incidents impacting the country.

“This is part of a national situation where more of these incidents are taking place,” he said.

Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.

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Source:- 10tv.

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