Columbia University (Wikipedia Commons)

Dr. Prabhjot Singh, who wears a turban and a beard, was attacked by an unknown suspect or suspects who shouted anit-Muslim statements such as "get him!' and 'Osama' and 'terrorist.' . The professor was knocked down and punched various times in the face.

The attack on the professor is a reminder that hate crimes in the U.S. against minorities is an issue that needs immediate attention. In August of last year, a gunman with links to neo-Nazi groups, went to a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, killing six worshippers. 

SEE ALSO: Sikh Temple Gunman Identified As Veteran With White Supremacist Ties

After the temple shooting last year, Dr. Prabhjot Singh had co-written an Op-Ed in the New York Times about the importance of gathering more information on hate crimes agains Sikhs. He wrote, "the government must begin tracking and counting anti-Sikh hate crimes, just as it must continue to vigorously combat bias and discrimination against all Americans, including Muslims."

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