New York student who 'slashed Muslim cabbie's throat' is held in hospital

The student accused of slashing a Muslim taxi driver's face has been taken to a New York psychiatric ward.

Michael Enright, 21, was taken from Rikers Island jail to Bellevue hospital. He was arrested on Tuesday night after after allegedly attacking Bangladeshi cabbie Ahmed Sharif.

Authorities say Enright uttered an Arabic phrase before slashing Mr Sharif's face and neck.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg met Mr Sharif yesterday. He said the attack could have been connected to the debate about a mosque planned near ground zero.

Police commissioner Raymond Kelly said authorities did not believe the attack signified a growing trend in anti-Muslim crimes.