Man arrested in hate crime attack on Sikh professor

20-year-old suspect charged in assault on Prabhjot Singh



In New York City, a suspect was arrested in the hate crime beating of Sikh Columbia University professor Prabhjot Singh, who was harassed and brutally assaulted while walking on the street last year.

Hate Crime Charge in NY Attack on Sikh Professor

20-year-old Christian Morales was booked on aggravated harassment charges as a hate crime in connection with the September 21, 2013 assault on Singh, who wears a turban and a long beard as an observant Sikh.

According to police, Morales was one of several young men on bicycles who surrounded Singh in upper Manhattan and called him "terrorist" and "Osama" before punching him in the face and pulling on his beard.

According to police, he is the only person in custody, but the investigation is still ongoing.

Sikh professor speaks out about hate crime attack

"What happened to Dr. Singh did not happen in a vacuum."



Some more on Dr. Prabhjot Singh, the Sikh Columbia University professor who was brutally beaten in a hate crime attack on Saturday night in New York City. Yesterday, he spoke out a press conference, calling on the greater community to break down barriers and work towards further understanding between people of different background and faiths: Columbia Assistant Professor Hospitalized After Hate Crime

"It's clear that the associations between beards and turbans and terrorism are devastating for an entire community, so I want to continue working to show that core American values are core Sikh values as well," said Dr. Singh. "Most importantly, I want it so that my 1-year-old has nothing to fear in this neighborhood."

And if he could speak to his attackers, Dr. Singh says he would invite them to his house of worship, try to get to know them, and see if they had any questions about his faith. Talking about being a true advocate for peace and understanding. Here's video from Monday's press conference:

Sikh Columbia University professor attacked in hate crime

Prabhjot Singh's attackers called him "Osama" and "terrorist" as they beat him.

Outrage. Over the weekend in New York, a Sikh Columbia University professor was brutally beaten in a violent hate crime: Prabhjot Singh, Sikh Columbia Professor, Attacked In Possible Hate Crime.

Dr. Prabhjot Singh, an observant Sikh who wears a turban and has a beard, was walking on the street in upper Manhattan on Saturday night when he was attacked by a group of young men on bikes who surrounded him. The suspects shouted anti-Muslim statements, knocked the professor down and beat him.

According to Dr. Singh, the assailants called him "Osama" and "terrorist" as they punched him in the head repeatedly. He suffered a fractured jaw and bruising and swelling across his face.

Simran Jeet Singh, Dr. Singh's friend and colleague, recounts visiting him in the hospital after the attack: