Utah Stabbing: How to Stay Safe

Trust your instincts. If a conversation with a stranger feels off - unusually personal questions, probing about your religion or background, or someone lingering without clear purpose - it's okay to disengage, step back, or seek help from a colleague, security, or store staff.

Be mindful in service roles. Kiosk and retail workers are especially exposed, often alone and unable to easily retreat. Know where your nearest coworker, security guard, or exit is. Don't hesitate to call for backup if something feels wrong, even before anything happens.

Lean on your community. Community actually helps: bystanders in this case tackled and disarmed the attacker, likely saving a life. Being visible, connected, and looking out for one another - at work, in mosques, and in public spaces - matters.

Report immediately. If you experience or witness a bias-motivated incident, contact police right away and consider reaching out to your local Islamic center, which can help document the incident and connect you with support.

Take care of your mental health. Hate-motivated violence affects more than its direct victim - it can generate fear across an entire community. Talking with trusted friends, family, or a counselor after unsettling news is a sign of strength, not weakness.

We hold Sohail, the injured worker, in our prayers, and thank the bystanders whose courage prevented this from being worse. Awareness, community, and solidarity remain our best protection.

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• CA vs Hate Hotline: Call (833) 866-4283 (or 833-8-NO-HATE) Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM PT to speak with a care coordinator. You can also report online 24/7 at CA vs Hate.
• LA vs Hate: Dial 211 or visit 211 LA at any time to connect with local support and counseling.
• Federal Support: Call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or report online at Tips FBI.
• National Support: Call the VictimConnect Resource Center at 1-855-484-2846 for confidential tips and survivor advice.
• U.S. Department of Justice: Resources for Victims of Hate Crimes

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بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Bismillāhilladhī lā yaḍurru ma'a ismihi shay'un fil-arḍi wa lā fis-samā' wa huwa as-samī'ul-'alīm.

"In the name of Allah with whose name nothing on earth or in heaven can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing."

(Whoever recites this three times each morning and evening will be protected from all harm.) - Sunan Abi Dawud 5088