How One Muslim Woman Is Helping Countless Others to Defend Themselves Against Hate Crimes @alternet

How One Muslim Woman Is Helping Countless Others to Defend Themselves Against Hate Crimes @alternet: An initiative that began with self-defense has expanded to include financial empowerment. At 16, Rana Abdelhamid was on her way to volunteer at a domestic violence shelter in New York City when she was assaulted by a stranger who tried to rip off her hijab. A black-belt in Shotokan karate, Rana was able to defend herself, but after her shock wore off, she realized that most women in her community didn’t have the same opportunity. A year after her own attack, she started a self-defense class.