New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg condemned the alleged hate crime attack of a Muslim cab driver at a news conference yesterday with the victim.

Taxi unions and Muslim groups also rallied at City Hall, calling for more protection for cab drivers in New York City.

Michael Enright, a 21-year-old film student at the School of Visual Arts, allegedly stabbed cab driver Ahmed Sharif late Tuesday night.

Sharif says Enright, who appeared drunk at the time, said "assalamu alaikum," which means peace be with you, before telling Sharif to "consider this a checkpoint" and stabbing him all over his face, throat and hands.

Enright faces a slew of charges including attempted murder as a hate crime. He is due in court on Monday.

Brewster man accused of stabbing cab driver in NYC