Man attempts to set Muslim woman on fire in New York

New York City investigators on Tuesday searched for a man suspected of setting fire to a traditionally dressed Muslim woman in a Midtown shopping area, police said.

Police said they were investigating the incident, which happened on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the 11 September attacks, as a hate crime.

The 35-year-old woman was standing outside a luxury clothing boutique on Park Avenue on Saturday evening when she felt her left arm suddenly heat up and noticed her blouse was on fire, city police said in a statement.

On Monday, the police released images of the incident and asked the public to help find the suspect.

The New York branch of the Council on American–Islamic Relations, which is in touch with the victim and is providing legal help, said it could not confirm whether the suspect was motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment, though his victim was wearing a hijab.

"It's another [piece of] evidence that Muslims are increasingly vulnerable in this hostile political climate," said Zainab Chaudry, a CAIR spokeswoman.

"Even in places like New York City, one of the most diverse in the US, we are seeing a spike in anti-Muslim bigotry."

In August, a New York man, Oscar Morel, of Brooklyn, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the shooting deaths of a Muslim imam and his assistant, a police spokesman said.

Morel, 35, was also charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, the spokesman added.

"Because of the evidence we have acquired thus far, we strongly believe that this is the individual," Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told a news conference.

Police said hate crime was being investigated as a possible motive - as demanded by Muslim community leaders - but said the motive was still unclear.

Maulama Akonjee, 55, who migrated to the United States from Bangladesh, and his friend, 64-year-old Thara Uddin, were shot dead in broad daylight on Saturday afternoon in the Ozone Park neighbourhood of New York's Queens borough.

The New York Daily News quoted police sources as saying the killer may have been settling a score in a feud between Muslims and Hispanics. Police say so far nothing indicates the two men were targeted because of their faith.

Muslim New Yorkers demanded increased security and called for justice, before hundreds of mourners attended their funeral service.

"We want justice, we want justice, we want justice," chanted Muslim community leaders at a chaotic news conference before the funeral got under way.