An American Muslim fencer, who is the country’s first Olympian to wear a hijab, says she does not feel safe in the US due to the country’s increased anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Ibtihaj Muhammad, 30, is currently in Rio de Janeiro preparing to represent the US in sabre fencing. She is ranked eighth in the world and is gearing up for her first Olympics after missing the 2012 London games because of a hand injury.

While much has been reported of concerns over health and safety in the Brazilian city, Muhammad says she feels unsafe in the US.

“[I feel unsafe] all the time. I had someone follow me home from practice and try to report me to police,” she told the Daily Beast. “And this is right on 28th and 7th in New York City.

“I’m very vocal about these things because I want people to know I’m not a novelty, I’m not special in any way. I’m a woman who wears hijab and these are my experiences."

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The New Jersey-born athlete said the US is at a point where it needs to change its dialogue following incidents like Donald Trump’s recent dig at a Muslim couple who spoke at the Democrat National Conference about their son who died in action fighting for the US.

Protesters and police clash ahead of Rio Olympic Games Show all 7 1 /7 Protesters and police clash ahead of Rio Olympic Games Protesters and police clash ahead of Rio Olympic Games Protesters clash with Brazilian police during a demonstration against the Olympic torch relay for Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Niteroi, on August 2, 2016 YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images Protesters and police clash ahead of Rio Olympic Games People face Brazilian police during a protest against the Olympic torch relay for Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Niteroi, on August 2, 2016. YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images Protesters and police clash ahead of Rio Olympic Games Protesters hold banners against Rio 2016 Olympic games to demand more education or health care during a demonstration against the Olympic torch relay in Niteroi, on August 2, 2016 YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images Protesters and police clash ahead of Rio Olympic Games Brazilian police officers hold a protester during a demonstration against Rio 2016 Olympic Games as the Olympic torch relay arrives in Niteroi, on August 2, 2016 YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images Protesters and police clash ahead of Rio Olympic Games An anti-government demonstrator, with a sticker which reads "boycott" on his mask, attends a protest on the Rio de Janeiro state economic crisis and against 2016 Rio Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 6, 2016. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes Protesters and police clash ahead of Rio Olympic Games Protesters take part in a demonstration against interim President Michel Temer in the centre of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 31, 2016. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo Protesters and police clash ahead of Rio Olympic Games Eduardo Paes, mayor of Rio de Janeiro, carries the Olympic torch into the city as security hold back protesters Reuters

“I want people to know that as hard as [these incidents] are on me, they don’t come even close to things we’ve seen like the shooting in North Carolina or the rhetoric around the Khan family at the DNC. It’s ridiculous and we as a country have to change and I feel like this is our moment,” she said.

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The popular fencer is already garnering attention in the US after teaching the First Lady Michelle Obama how to fence in April. She also appeared on The Ellen Show in March, was chosen as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2016 and recently met President Obama at the White House.