Self-defense class focuses on attacks on Muslim women

IOWA CITY - A free self-defense class offered Tuesday in Iowa City aims to help Muslim women protect themselves from attacks brought on by their religious attire.

The class, scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at Strike Martial Arts, 947 Miller Ave., Iowa City, will provide standard self-defense techniques but also will focus on attacks on women wearing a hijab, or headscarf.

The class is open to all women and no registration is necessary.

'It's time for someone to step up and do self-defense classes that actually teach you how to get out of the grip of someone who has got you by the hair or by the scarf,” said Miriam Amer, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations - or CAIR - Iowa Chapter, which is sponsoring the class. 'People are being attacked, and it's because they're fitting some kind of stereotype.”

Amer said the increase in anti-Muslim sentiment across the country has put all Muslims at greater risk.

'I'm worried about my daughter, my granddaughter, I'm worried about friends,” she said. 'I'm worried about women I don't even know.”

Hamza Omar, owner of Strike Martial Arts, is teaching the self-defense class, which he said is something he offers periodically, but the added focus on those being targeted for their religion or ethnic background is new.

'Everyone wants to feel safe nowadays with everything that is going on,” Omar said. 'We really want to help people feel safe. This is specifically for the community, for women to feel empowered whether they wear a hijab or not.

'We want to spread awareness for self-defense, make all women become more aware and alert.”