DEARBORN, Mich. -- An Arab-American student at a Dearborn college has accused an instructor there of assaulting him after a race-based confrontation.

Ahmed Kassim told Local First News that three days after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington he was allegedly singled out by longtime instructor John Azar at Henry Ford Community College.

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Student Makes Serious Claims

A Henry Ford spokesman said that Azar is regarded as one of college's best teachers.

Kassim accused the instructor of walking into his class and putting up an American flag. The student told Local First News that Azar allegedly looked at him after putting up the flag and warned him not to touch it. Azar, whom the school said is Lebanese, is accused of suggesting to students that if they want to learn more about Islam to read a book called "Why I'm not a Muslim."

The teacher has been accused of forcibly removing Kassim from class and tossing his books out after him.

"We take all allegations seriously and want to conduct a thorough investigation," Henry Ford officials said in a statement.

Azar has been suspended with pay, the school said.