United States: three mosques targeted in Austin, the American-Islamic Relations Council denounces an Islamophobic escalation

In a climate marked by a disturbing rise in Islamophobic acts, three Austin mosques were the target of acts of vandalism in the night of May 22. Bomb -painted symbols, including David stars, have been discovered on the doors, fences and panels of the naked mosques, IABA (Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association) and Austin Diyanet Center.

Video surveillance images show a masked white man tag several entries, including the Imam office. These acts represent a new escalation In a series of Islamophobic incidents reported in recent months: the naked mosque has listed four attacks since October.

The American-Islamic Relations Council (CAIR), the largest organization for defense of Muslims’ civil rights in the United States, called on Austin police to urgently strengthen security around Muslim places of worship. “These coordinated attacks are clearly aimed at sowing fear and division,” said Shaimaa Zayan, Cair-Austin operations. It also called the inhabitants with information to contact the authorities without delay.

Rawand Abdelghani, member of the Council of the Nueces Mosque, is worried: “We have welcomed students and members of all confessions since 1977. This growing climate of hatred threatens the cohesion of our community. The Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) recalls that these acts are not isolated: in California, Arizona, mosques are also targeted. In its 2025 report UNCONSITIONAL CRACDOWNSthe organization alerts on record levels of Islamophobia, nourished in particular by the repression of the freedom of expression of students opposed to war and apartheid. Faced with this Islamophobic wave, Cair calls for the mobilization of the authorities, but also of civil society, to ensure that places of worship remain spaces of peace – and not for fear.