City Midwood

Hikind lauds Muslim teen who aided Jewish assault victim

January 6, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Assemblyman Dov Hikind presents hero teen Ahmed Khalifa with a laptop computer as Councilmember Mathieu Eugene (left of Hikind) and community leaders look on. Photo courtesy of Hikind’s office
Assemblyman Dov Hikind presents hero teen Ahmed Khalifa with a laptop computer as Councilmember Mathieu Eugene (left of Hikind) and community leaders look on. Photo courtesy of Hikind’s office
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A Muslim teenager who came to the aid of an Orthodox Jewish woman after she was assaulted on the subway has won praise from state Assemblymember Dov Hikind and other community leaders.

Hikind (D-Borough Park-Midwood) presented Midwood High School student Ahmed Khalifa, 17, with a citation and laptop computer on Jan. 5.

On Dec. 28, Khalifa helped apprehend the assailant who assaulted an Orthodox Jewish woman on a Coney-Island bound Q train, authorities said.

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Khalifa chased down Rayvon Jones, 31, after the suspect allegedly smacked the victim and fled the train near the Newkirk Avenue station around 8 p.m.

Khalifa flagged down a member of Shomrim, the volunteer patrol group, who helped him search for the suspect, authorities said. Jones was found on a local bus nearby. Khalifa then called the police to notify them of the suspect’s whereabouts, authorities said. Jones was taken into custody. The victim, who suffered lacerations to her lip and bruising, was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital for treatment.

Hikind made note of the fact that the hero teen is a Muslim and that he helped an Orthodox Jewish woman. “In a time of such divisiveness, it’s refreshing to see a story like this resonate within our communities,” said Hikind, who was joined by Councilmember Mathieu Eugene (D-Kensington) and community and religious leaders in honoring Khalifa.

“It is my privilege to honor Ahmed Khalifa for his noble act and exemplary leadership; and through this behavior, Ahmed sets the tone for how we should treat one another regardless of one’s race or religion,” Hikind said.

Khalifa said he doesn’t consider himself to be a hero.

“I’m just a guy. I think everyone should be doing this because we are all one people; I would help anyone out no matter who they are, I’m just happy people are learning that this is the right thing to do,” he said in a statement.

This isn’t the first time Khalifa has come to the aid of another person, Hikind said. Several months ago, he prevented a suicidal homeless person from jumping onto the train tracks.

Hikind also presented Khalifa, a senior at Midwood High School, with a Hewlett-Packard laptop computer.

“I want to thank local businesses Focus Camera and Artistic Gallery for collaborating with us on this gesture. Ahmed Khalifa has a bright future ahead of him and is undoubtedly a future leader of this generation. At 17, he truly embodies what it means to be a caring, loving decent human being, which is exemplified through his brave actions. I don’t doubt that Ahmed will continue to do great things after high school and beyond,” Hikind said.

“I’m so proud of Ahmed and the heroism he exhibited in chasing down the criminal. He’s a model citizen and we’re very fortunate to have him as part of our community,” Eugene said.

“Every now and then, a small ray of sunshine emerges and reminds us of the good in humanity. The story of Ahmed Khalifa is one of those moments,” said community activist Chaskel Bennett.

 


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