| Post by (Christian Louboutin Schuhe) August 2010 | | | | "I have been here more than 25 years. I have |
| New York (CNN) -- A film student suspected of | | | | been driving a taxi more than 15 years. All my |
| stabbing a New York cab driver after learning the | | | | four kids were born here. I never [felt] this |
| driver was Muslim was described Thursday as | | | | hopeless and insecure before." |
| someone who worked to build bridges across | | | | Enright is facing charges of second-degree |
| religious and ethnic boundaries. | | | | attempted murder as a hate crime, |
| Those who know Michael Enright, 21, a film | | | | second-degree assault as a hate crime, |
| student at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, | | | | second-degree aggravated harassment as a hate |
| are "shocked and dumbfounded" by his arrest, | | | | crime and fourth-degree criminal possession of a |
| said Robert Chase, the executive director of | | | | weapon, said New York police Detective Mark Nell. |
| Intersections International. | | | | Authorities said he was highly intoxicated at the |
| Enright volunteered with the nonprofit group, and | | | | time of the incident. |
| it partially funded his trip to Afghanistan in the | | | | When Enright first got into Sharif's cab Tuesday |
| spring, where he shot a film on American soldiers | | | | night, the conversation was cordial at first, said |
| serving there for his thesis, Chase said. The New | | | | Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the Taxi |
| York-based organization is aimed at promoting | | | | Workers Alliance. |
| peace across faith and racial boundaries. | | | | The suspect "started out friendly, asking Mr. |
| "Everyone was shocked and dumbfounded | | | | Sharif about where he was from, how long he |
| because of the nature of the crime and because | | | | had been in America, if he was Muslim and if he |
| of our experience with him here," Chase said. "It | | | | was observing fast during Ramadan," Desai said. |
| is sadly ironic." | | | | Then, after a few minutes of silence, Desai said |
| He said Enright volunteered on Intersections | | | | Enright started cursing at Sharif and shouted |
| International's "Veteran-Civilian Dialogue" program, | | | | "Assalamu Alaikum, consider this a checkpoint," |
| which addresses trauma faced by returning | | | | before slashing him. |
| veterans and encourages them to share their | | | | Assalamu Alaikum is an Arabic greeting that |
| stories with civilians as well as each other. | | | | means "peace be upon you." |
| "He was intrigued by the concept and started | | | | Bleeding heavily, Sharif was able to escape and |
| participating and then volunteering. Enright became | | | | flag down a police officer who arrested Enright, |
| involved in the work we do -- building bridges | | | | Desai said. |
| across race, culture and religion and forging | | | | At the news conference, Sharif plans to call for |
| common ground for reconciliation and peace," | | | | an end to anti-Muslim rhetoric that has followed |
| Chase said. | | | | the proposed construction of an Islamic cultural |
| "The whole thing is unfathomable. He's a good guy. | | | | center and mosque. |
| His work has been responsible. He's been diligent | | | | The center is planned two blocks from the site of |
| and hardworking." | | | | the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. |
| Meanwhile, the cab driver, Ahmed Sharif, is | | | | "Right now, the public sentiment is very serious |
| scheduled to hold a news conference on the | | | | because of the Ground Zero mosque debate," |
| steps of City Hall. Beforehand, he is scheduled to | | | | Sharif said. |
| meet with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, | | | | The taxi workers alliance said Sharif, 43, a |
| according to the mayor's schedule. | | | | practicing Muslim originally from Bangladesh, was |
| "I feel very sad," Sharif said in a statement | | | | slashed across the neck, face, shoulder and hand |
| released by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance. | | | | in the attack. |