17 year old Pakistani-American teen charged with hate crime for assault on 15 year old Sikh

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

This is a sad example of religious tensions normally relegated to the Indian subcontinent making their way to the US. I am willing to bet that the actions of this teen stem from religious hatred he picked up at home. This crime certainly does count, in my opinion, as a hate crime and I am glad it being treated as such.

Umair Ahmed, 17, was charged with unlawful imprisonment, menacing and aggravated harassment, said Kevin Ryan, spokesman for the Queens district attorney. Ahmed, who is of Pakistani descent, was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

The Sikh religious faith calls for men to wear their hair long, and many wear turbans.

Ahmed and the Sikh youth, who is 15, were trading insults at school Thursday when the younger boy tried to apologize, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. Ahmed told the boy he would only accept a haircut as an apology.

Ahmed then dragged him into a bathroom, pulled off the boy's turban and cut his hair while two other students acted as lookouts, Kelly said. Ryan said no one else was charged.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-0...enaccused_N.htm

[pbgirl 1]

That's just sad. A kid shouldn't have to go through such bullying regardless of if race or religion were a factor. And for the Sikh religion, the long hair and turban is a sense of pride. Terrible to have it taken away from you like that.

[bora bora 1]

I agree - it is a hate crime.

My best friend is a Sikh and she always says that a turban is regal

[JVKn'CVO 11]

poor kid...that's going to scar him preety badly...

Caro

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I agree - it is a hate crime.

My best friend is a Sikh and she always says that a turban is regal

She may be a tad biased

[bora bora 1]

My friend? Biased?