A Muslim Palestinian student was enjoying a fun Christmas Eve with friends in Durham, United Kingdom... but the night ended with him fearing for his life.
Ihsan Abualrob, who is studying a masters in politics and international relations at Durham University as part of a U.K. government scheme aimed at developing global leaders, was playing pool with several friends in a pub on Dec. 24. Then a man approached Abualrob and his friends and asked them where they were from.
“We don’t drink and were sitting there chatting when out of the blue a British guy approached us, pulled up a chair uninvited and asked us where we were from," he told the Northern Echo.
“My friends said from Egypt and myself from Palestine. He said: ‘Egypt, Palestine. You Muslims. Are you suicide bombers?”
When Abualrob left the pub with his friends, three men approached them aggressively, insulting Islam. Attempting to deescalate the situation and not wanting any further problems, Abualrob decided to politely share some seasonal cheer with the men.
“Merry Christmas, enjoy your holiday," he told them, according to New York Post.
But instead of accepting the friendly greeting, the men became even more aggressive.
“One of them threw a glass towards us. Then one of them lunged at me and punched me on my left cheek and I fell to the ground. Then three of them started kicking me in the head, shoulders and body. I grabbed my head in my arms trying to protect my face.”
He was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries.
The experience shook Abualrob to his core. He was attacked simply for being a Muslim and trying to wish the men a "Merry Christmas."
“Christmas should be a time of love and hope, not violence," the Palestinian student said, according to The Independent.
Fortunately, local authorities have taken the incident seriously, arresting two men.
"Police were called to an assault outside the Happy Wanderer pub in Durham at around 8.40pm on Christmas Eve," a police spokesperson said.
“A 49-year-old man and a 23-year-old have been arrested on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated assault with injury.”
But regardless, Abualrob has been left scarred by the attack.
"My heart is broken and I am emotionally overwhelmed," he said.