Arabic-Speaking Man Assaulted On Rockville Sidewalk: Police

(Updated at 4:52 p.m. Tuesday): ROCKVILLE, MD — A man speaking Arabic with his wife was assaulted Sunday as the couple walked along Rollins Avenue in Rockville, Montgomery County Police say. The attack took place about 2:15 p.m. on Rollins Avenue near East Jefferson Street.

The victim told detectives that he and his wife were speaking in Arabic as they walked past a man standing on the sidewalk. The suspect reportedly made derogatory remarks about Muslims to the couple, then threatened the husband and assaulted him.

Police say the suspect fled from the area on foot toward Rockville Pike. The victim suffered minor injuries during the assault and declined medical treatment. No weapon was used during the assault.

The suspect is described as a white man, about 37 to 43 years old, 5’10” tall, and with a muscular build. He was wearing a black vest over a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

The nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

"We hope offering this reward will lead to the arrest of the person who allegedly assaulted this couple solely because of their perceived faith," CAIR Maryland Outreach Manager Dr. Zainab Chaudry said in a statement. "This alleged assault comes at a time of increasing attacks on American Muslims and members of other minority groups in Maryland and across the country."

Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect is asked to call police at 240-773-6084. Callers may remain anonymous.

Patch file photo