Hyderabad: A Hyderabad man was critically injured after he was allegedly attacked for his religion, and stabbed 15 times at a shoppig mall in the US on July 13. According to local media reports, Syed Sohail Uddin was attacked while working at a kiosk in the Valley Fair Mall in Utah and suffered grave injuries all over his body. A GoFudme page set up by his cowoker to raise funds for his treatment stated that Sohail has undergone multiple surgeries on his hands, heart and lungs and continues to be critical.Sohail’s relative from Musheerabad told TOI that they got to know about the incident on July 15. “Currently, his wife and kids are in the US with him. Through his wife we got to know that following a brief interaction, the attacker started to stab him with a knife indiscriminately — much to the shock of other coworkers and bystanders,” the relative said.Court documents cited by local US media reportedly state that the suspect asked the victim about his religion before launching the attack and later told investigators he had targeted him because he was Muslim. The suspect has been arrested on charges including attempted murder.Speaking to a local news channel. Fox 13 News, his coworker, Luna Nunez, said that she rushed to Sohail on hearing him scream and even tried to rescue him from the attacker. “It was a vicious hate crime. I was scared for his life,” she told the news channel. Adnan Mohammed, Sohail’s manager also spoke to Fox 13 News about the latter being “like family”. “There is no space for hate crime,” Adnan was heard saying in the clip, while describing Sohail as a “protective father” and his “right hand” man.Following the incident, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco, posted a statement on X, stating that “it was deeply saddened by the stabbing”. It added that it was in close contact with the victim’s family and friends, was engaged with local authorities, and stood ready to provide all possible consular assistance.Acccording to the GoFundMe post, Sohail does not have health insurance, and the medical bills for his emergency care, surgeries, and ongoing physical therapy are overwhelming.“As the main provider for his wife and children, Sohail’s absence has left his family in a vulnerable position, both emotionally and financially,” the post stated, adding that Luna and those close to Sohail are reaching out for help to ensure he receives the care he needs and to support his family during this incredibly difficult time. They are hoping to raise USD 300k for his treatment.
