(ELMONT, N.Y.) - Just days after the two-year anniversary of the horrific acid attack on Elmont resident Nafiah Ikram, Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D – Lawrence) joined with Nafiah and her family and County officials outside Nafiah’s home to call for renewed intensity in the efforts to solve this case and finally bring her attacker to justice.
Nafiah was assaulted on the evening of Wednesday, March 17, 2021. According to Nassau County Police Department officials, Nafiah was walking in the driveway of her residence when she was approached from behind by an unknown male. The suspect was carrying a white colored cup containing a dark colored substance which he then threw at the victim’s face. The suspect, who is described as approximately 6’2” tall, skinny build, wearing a black colored sweatshirt with a hood and wearing gloves, fled eastbound on Arlington Avenue in a 2013-15 Nissan Altima.
“We are asking the person who is responsible for this heinous act – please do the right thing and turn yourself in,” Legislator Solages said. “Someone knows something, and what is done in the darkness always comes to light. Help her get justice – help the Elmont community get justice.”
The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of her attacker has risen to $50,000 in recent weeks. Nafiah continues to receive treatment for the physical injuries that she sustained from the attack, including reconstruction of her eye, nose and esophagus, and therapy for the post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety she lives with in the aftermath of the incident. All the while, she has continued her studies at Hofstra University and has accepted public speaking engagements to address the importance of self-love and embracing one’s inner beauty.
Asked if she had a message for her attacker after two years, Nafiah was resolute.
“Whatever it is, may God deal with you. I’m not even mad anymore – I just want to know who it is so I can have peace of mind. If it’s not meant for me to find out, I’m leaving it in God’s hands,” Nafiah said. “The whole point of this was that they wanted to make myself miserable and hate myself. Well, you lost. I refuse to let anyone – no matter who it is – tell me no.”
PHOTO CAPTION – Legislator Solages, left, looks on as Nafiah Ikram speaks outside her Elmont home on Wednesday, March 22.
PHOTO CREDIT – Office of Legislator Carrié Solages