A MUSLIM woman who described the moment she was racially abused in a Trowbridge supermarket car park has been defended by the community.

At around 3.15pm yesterday (May 25), the 40-year-old Muslim woman was waiting for a car parking space near the mother and baby bays in Tesco Extra, County Way, when a man approached her vehicle.

The woman posted in the Facebook group, Spotted Trowbridge, to describe what happened

She wrote: “I was waiting for his parking space and was minding my own business.

“I heard shouting and slamming of doors and thought nothing of it. I wasn't until I had my full attention on him I was shocked he had been talking to me as I caught the tail end when he said "you're all disgusting!”.

“He obviously saw a Muslim lady with a headscarf sat there and thought he could intimidate me.”

In the woman’s post it goes on to say that she had just cried as she watched the two minute silence for the Manchester terror attack victims.

“I am angry too just as you are. I am mature and responsible enough not to go taking it out on others,” she adds.

“I would like to remind people that we are Muslim and not terrorists. I am innocent. All I wanted to do was do a food shop.

“I am not the victim here, the tragedy that unfolded before our eyes were the victims. Their families, friends and loved ones are all the victims and we need to come together, let’s not let them divide our close community. Educate yourself.”

Her post received widespread attention on Facebook, with Trowbridge Mosque attempting to counter the incident, saying they will open up the building on Saturday afternoon between 2pm-4pm to “give people an understanding of Islam”.

Other posters labelled the suspect “a disgrace” and one woman offered to meet the woman at Tesco so they could go shopping together.

Overall, 56 people responded to her post, with the vast majority agreeing that the suspect's views were a minority.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to find the suspect.

Community coordinator Alex Trombetta said: “The man was verbally abusive to the woman and his manner left her feeling frightened and distressed. We are treating this as an incident of hate crime.

“There is never an excuse for hate crime in any shape or form and this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We would encourage anyone who feels they are a victim of hate crime to feel confident in the belief that we will always take reports of this nature seriously and ensure you receive the support you need.”

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Alternatively, visit the True Vision website at www.report-it.org.uk for information, advice and to report online. In an emergency call 999.