An Islamic woman reported a road rage incident in Murfreesboro that she believed happened solely because of her beliefs.
Love is blind, a saying that rang true for Murfreesboro native Sarah Alzu'bi who married a Jordanian. After the birth of their son in 2010, she converted to Islam.
"I read about it, learned about it, it was never something that was pushed on me," Alzu'bi said.
She admitted the transition into society was tough. At one point, she chose not to wear the traditional hijab. "I became so frustrated because it was a challenge, when you would be out shopping and people would come up to you and say stuff to you or treat you differently at a restaurant," Alzu'bi explained.
However, over the years she's become numb, that was until Thursday. Sarah was driving on Northwest Broad Street in Murfreesboro when she noticed a truck beside her.
"I had a truck come up to me on my right side. He was looking into my vehicle and kept looking," she said.
Things only escalated from there. "He started spitting at my car," said Alzu'bi. "I was astonished, I mean somebody is spitting at your car they're trying to make it inside your window spitting at you, like they hate you."
She said the truck began to swerve into her lane and nearly caused her to run off the road. She managed to pull over in a median, the truck was right behind her.
"You could just tell by the way he was jerking on his seatbelt he was trying to get out of the car. He was yelling every profanity at me possible," she said.
The driver of that truck did get out and made his way to her car window. "Both of his fists, he was like I will f****** kill you," Alzu'bi said.
After a brief standoff between the two the truck sped off, but not before Sarah captured a picture of the back of the vehicle.
Murfreesboro police are investigating the incident as an aggravated assault motivated by an anti-Islamic bias.
"If you take the time and learn you'll realize this is a religion of peace," said Alzu'bi.
Murfreesboro police have also notified the FBI since this appears to be a hate motivated crime.
If you have information that about the truck or the driver, contact Crime Stoppers at 615-893-7867. Information leading to an arrest could earn you up to $1,000.
