Muslim mother in United Kingdom attacked for wearing headscarf

London, June 8: In a "racist" attack, a group of women in London allegedly abused, punched and kicked a Muslim woman for wearing a headscarf.

Police are investigating the incident in which a group of women allegedly ripped off the Muslim mother's 'hijab' (headscarf) when she went to collect her children from Al-Khair school in south London.

The young mother was set upon by three women "for wearing a headscarf" as she walked towards the private Islamic primary school, the Evening Standard reported. She was going to collect her two young children on Thursday when a number of women started "shouting and hurling abuse".

They allegedly asked if she was hot in the headscarf -- before ripping it off and punching her.

The mother, who wished to remain anonymous, told the daily, "They pulled my headscarf off and started punching and kicking me.

"One was dragging my head down while the others were hitting me. They were being so racist and using derogatory terms," she said.

The woman said she was left with whiplash and chunks of hair missing but suffered no significant physical harm and the London Ambulance Service was not called.

The alleged attack in Derby Road, Croydon, close to the school, only stopped when another parent jumped in, according to police.

Officers were called to the scene and two women, aged 18 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of assault and a racially aggravated public order offence.

They were taken to a police station before being bailed to return at a later date. Officers are investigating the incident, Scotland Yard said.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said, "We take any offence seriously. We have made two arrests in connection with our ongoing investigation."

PTI