June 6, 2024 (Hartford) — The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) today welcomed the sentencing of a man convicted of attempting to assault Connecticut State Representative Maryam Khan.
The man was convicted of attempted third-degree sexual assault, attempted first-degree strangulation and risk of injury to a minor for an incident that occurred last year. Rep. Khan, her sister, a female friend and Khan’s three children — a 15 and 10-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son — were reportedly approached by the perpetrator after a communal prayer. The perpetrator made vulgar and obscene remarks. Khan told CAIR-CT the attacker grabbed and hit her and threw her to the ground. Another worshiper intervened, chased and held the suspect until police arrived. Rep. Khan, her sister, and her older daughter wear religious head scarves, or hijab.
SEE: Man who attacked Muslim lawmaker in Connecticut sentenced to 5 years in prison
In a statement, CAIR-CT Board Chair Farhan Memon said:
“We are relieved to see justice served in the case of the attack on our esteemed Muslim lawmaker, Rep. Maryam Khan. The sentencing of the perpetrator to five years in prison sends a strong message that hate crimes and violence against Muslim women will not be tolerated.
We stand in solidarity with Rep. Khan and all those who have been victims of such heinous acts. This conviction is a step towards ensuring the safety and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their faith or background.
“Let this be a reminder that our work is far from over. We must continue to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect within our communities. Together, we can create a society where everyone feels safe and valued.”
He noted that CAIR-CT called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the attack after it happened.
END
CONTACT: CAIR Connecticut Chairman Farhan Memon, fmemon@cair.com or Operations Director Hassan Awwad, hawwad@cair.com