The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, has reported a dramatic 183 percent increase in incidents targeting Islamic places of worship during May, June, and July compared to the same period last year. CAIR documented 17 such incidents in these three months, which accounts for 51 percent of the previous year’s total. In contrast, only six incidents were recorded in the corresponding three-month period last year.
These documented incidents include a terroristic attack on a mosque, threats of violence, arson, acts of intimidation, and opposition to the construction or presence of Islamic places of worship based on religious bias. This surge in hostility follows a significant event on May 18, when the Islamic Center of San Diego was subjected to a horrific attack, resulting in the deaths of Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nadir Awad as they defended children from anti-Muslim white supremacist extremists.
Corey Saylor, CAIR Research and Advocacy Director, underscored the persistent issue of prejudice. "Islamophobia remains an acceptable form of hate in the US. American places of worship are too often seen as targets for cheap political smears and violence," Saylor said. He emphasized the responsibility of community leaders, stating, "It is a duty on community leaders to ensure our sanctuaries remain places for prayer, reflection, and community. Vigilance is a piece of achieving this outcome."
To address these growing concerns, CAIR is urging Muslim community leaders to pre-register for its forthcoming updated "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety Guide," expected in late August. The organization also hosted a webinar in May, titled "Protecting Your Mosques: What Every Mosque Needs to Know and Do," which featured experts providing guidance on mosque safety, community security, and threat prevention.