A self-defence technique dubbed the 'Hijab Grab' has gone viral after a Muslim woman posted a video online instructing others how to deal with attacks.

Zaineb Abdulla, from Chicago, delivers self-defence classes for Deaf Planet Soul (DPS) – an American non-profit organisation working with deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

The 5ft 1ins instructor, who also works as a therapist for autistic children, has trained in Brazilian jiu jitsu for four years. It is a form of combat which complements those with smaller frames fighting off larger opponents.

Abdulla inspired to teach after she received calls from concerned Muslim women following the US presidential election. Since November 9, there have been multiple reports of attacks on hijab-wearing women, with some left 'too scared' to wear a hijab as it may invite harassment.

"People wanted to know if [there were] strategies for defending against bigoted attacks. I looked online and saw there was nothing,” she told The Guardian. “I kept hearing on the news that someone tore off this woman’s scarf and she sat on the floor and cried, or ran away crying; I’m so tired of that. Fear is a legitimate and reasonable reaction, but it’s not the only reaction we can have.”