A Hofstra Student Survived an Acid Attack. Police Need Help Catching the Culprit.
BY: SARAH EMILY BAUM
WARNING: This article describes and references images and footage of violence that may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.
(Apr. 19, 2021) — A Hofstra student was targeted in an acid attack outside her home on March 17. In the aftermath, a GoFundMe for her medical expenses has gone viral.
The 21-year-old junior and pre-med student, Nafiah Fatima, was in the driveway of her Elmont residence with her mother when an unknown figure with white gloves approached and tossed acid in her face. Nassau Police put out a public call to help identify the attacker, who was described as a 6-foot-tall male with a “skinny build.” The suspect then fled the scene in a red 2013-2015 Nissan Altima, but no further details about the attackers are public at this time.
“I want my story to raise awareness,” Fatima said in a text interview with The Clocktower. “I want to make sure I am the last person to ever be the victim of this kind of horrendous act.”
The assault burned Fatima’s face, chest, throat and arms. She was also wearing contact lenses when she was attacked, which then melted into her eyes. It is not yet known whether she will ever fully regain her vision.
Fatima, a pharmacy tech and former high school basketball player, hopes that speaking out allows her to raise much-needed funds for her care and aid police in their investigation of the attack.
“We want the Hofstra community to know this happened to one of them,” said Ahmed Farooq, a friend of the family who helped organize the GoFundMe with permission from Fatima. “A fellow neighbor, a fellow Muslim, a fellow Pakistani. It hit so close to home.”
While Fatima is no longer in the hospital, she still faces a long road to recovery. Farooq also said they are currently searching for plastic surgeons who may be able to help her case pro bono. As of April 19, Fatima’s page was among the top three most active causes listed on GoFundMe, having raised over $115,000 dollars in the 48 hours since it was posted.
“We're shocked by this horrific attack, and our thoughts are with Nafiah, her family and friends as she focuses on her recovery,” a Hofstra spokesperson told The Clocktower. “We are committed to supporting her through that process and will cooperate with any investigation into the matter.”
Although the attack did not occur on campus, those who know Fatima at Hofstra have still been rattled by news of the assault. Yusra Ahmed, vice president of the Muslim Students Association and a friend of Fatima, said she was in a state of disbelief.
“I was so speechless, especially because this is so close to home. She’s such a familiar face,” Ahmed told The Clocktower. “This time of year, I’d usually see her at the masjid volunteering and handing out food to people who were fasting.”
“She was attacked outside her home in a suburban neighborhood, like seconds away from her door,” Ahmed continued. “It’s where you’d expect to be the safest.”
