CAIR-NY Raises Concerns Over NYPD Delayed Response to Violent Assault Involving Muslim Man Near ICCNY

(NEW YORK, NY, 05/13/2026) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today is calling for accountability and transparency following what appears to be a delayed and inadequate NYPD response to a violent assault in Manhattan on April 19, 2026. 

According to the victim’s family, a South Asian Muslim man was attacked shortly after arriving at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York (ICCNY) near East 96th Street and Third Avenue. The incident began as a minor vehicle collision but quickly escalated into a severe physical assault. The victim was allegedly placed in a chokehold, slammed to the ground, struck multiple times, and ultimately hit and dragged by the assailant’s vehicle for approximately half a city block. 

The victim sustained significant injuries requiring ambulance transport to a local hospital. 

Despite the severity of the incident, initial police documentation reportedly indicated that no injuries had occurred. As a result, a detective was not assigned to the case until April 23, raising serious concerns about investigative delays and procedural failures. On that same day, the victim reportedly gathered and provided video evidence of the incident to police. Despite the urging of the victim, the alleged assailant reportedly still has not been questioned or investigated to date.

In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said: 

“The reported delay in the investigative response raises urgent questions about how incidents of this severity are classified and handled. Almost a month has passed since this violent incident took place. The victim is rightfully seeking action from the police and has gone above and beyond to secure evidence. It’s frustrating to experience the indifference from police, but it’s not surprising. Many in the Muslim community already are reticent to report incidents because of distrust in law enforcement’s response. Accountability and transparency are essential to ensure justice for the victim and to cultivate public trust.” 

CAIR-NY is calling on the NYPD to review its handling of this case, clarify how the initial report was documented, and ensure that proper procedures are followed in all cases involving violent assaults. 

The organization also urges the NYPD to examine whether implicit bias or systemic issues may contribute to disparities in response times and investigative prioritization. 

CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.  

La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.  

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CONTACT  

Afaf Nasher, Esq. CAIR-NY Executive Director, ANasher@cair.com    

CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com