Update: The second Afghan refugee stabbed in as many days
Analysis: Both attacks are unlikely related
(GCV Note: The victim of the 30 March attack was a former Afghan interpreter and a close personal friend of mine. The original version stated 30 May, but it was today, 30 March. Apologies, as this is sometimes a one-man band.)
On March 30 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a former Afghan interpreter who had worked with the Defense Attaché Office in Kabul was stabbed five times outside the Lancaster Islamic Center during Eid al-Fitr.
According to the victim, the assailant’s name is Arif Abdul Rashid, who is originally from Afghanistan but grew up in Quetta and Karachi, Pakistan, before immigrating to the United States approximately 13 years ago. Additionally, the victim mentioned that Arif’s brother had recently arrived in the United States from Pakistan.
“He attacked me from the back and said, “American Spy, I‘m going to kill you now in Pashto,” the victim told Grumpy Combat Veteran. “He stabbed me five times, but me and another man, who he attacked, prevented him from doing serious damage.”
According to the victim, a group of bystanders also stepped in, but the assailant escaped; however, the Lancaster Police Department eventually arrested him.
“I believe the attack was planned in Pakistan and that his brother was the one who ordered him to attack me,” the victim told Grumpy Combat Veteran.
This is now the second attack on an Afghan refugee this week. On 27 March, an Afghan refugee, Abdul Niazi, was stabbed and killed by a fellow refugee, Masiulla Sahil, in Houston, Texas.
Notably, both attacks took place outside an Islamic Center. While Masiullah Sahil informed the authorities that he killed Niazi because his immigration paperwork was taking too long, it appears to be a strange motive unless Niazi specifically worked with immigration services.
9:45 AM Update: I received the following from a reader:
I read your article about Abdul’s death here in Houston. Im a Houstonian, social worker, and have worked in refugee resettlement for 14+ years. I also knew the victim and know of the suspect from the community. I wanted to point out two things. Abdul’s murder happened at his office off of Harwin. You said it was close to a mosque, which is only true if you consider all of our homes and offices as close to a mosque (since there are so many here.) I know Harwin very well. Significantly closer than a mosque are a Houston Police Department and a Bible college. To say that it happened close to a mosque and imply that the mosque location and the murder are related is not accurate (and also damaging.) My second point is, for better or worse, many Afghans have opened up small businesses like Hewad Multi-Services, where they help translate mail, help respond to their kids’ teachers’ notes sent home, and generally provide interpretation services. Frequently, they help make appointments at USCIS and help respond to requests for information sent by USCiS.
Analysis: If the above information is correct, then both attacks are unlikely to be related. It’s more likely that Eid al-Fitr provided targets of opportunity for both assailants. However, the 30 March attack in Lancaster, PA, should be investigated by federal authorities for possible domestic terrorism.
This is a developing story; we will provide more updates as it progresses.
Glad the arrest was made. I hope they follow up - this would be an ACTUAL CASE for ICE to follow up! I hope your friend is healing well.