Nationwide Anti-Mosque Activity
In recent years, anti-Muslim sentiment has spiked. Although these sentiments manifest themselves in many ways, attacks on mosques directly take aim at religious freedom. Existing and proposed mosque sites across the country have been targeted for vandalism and other criminal acts, and there have been efforts to block or deny necessary zoning permits for the construction and expansion of other facilities.
Below is a map highlighting anti-mosque incidents across the country since 2005. If you are aware of an anti-mosque incident not on this list, please contact us.
Last updated on May 23, 2024
Alabama
1 or 2 anti-mosque incidents
Multiple locations, March 2017
Authorities investigated a series of break-ins in Alabama mosques and a potential link to a burglary in Virginia. The thief targeted donation boxes with cash in them in each case, and took an old Quran from one mosque where it was kept in a safe.
Source:
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/03455fded21d4708a2a4fd1431034a90/police-reviewing-possible-links-involving-mosque-burglaries
Birmingham and Huntsville, February 2017
Both mosques received threatening emails. The Birmingham Islamic Society received an email from someone threatening to hunt “Muzlims Mexicans Blacks” until they are “dead or gone.”
Sources:
http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2017/02/in_face_of_threats_alabama_mus.html
http://www.wbrc.com/story/34543483/death-threats-emailed-to-2-al-mosques
Arizona
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Tucson, February 2022
The Islamic Center of Tucson is asking the University of Arizona to investigate an ongoing issue of students throwing trash onto its property from a nearby off-campus apartment building. Surveillance footage shows people in neighboring apartments dropping boxes into the mosque.
Source:
https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/ua-students-accused-throwing-trash-tucson-mosque/75-d80d2134-f5b9-4569-a921-ca9852ed14b3
Tuscon, December 2021
Video surveillance shows a group throwing punches at two men arriving at the Islamic Center of Tucson for morning prayer. One victim suffered a black eye. The group is also seen vandalizing the building.
Source:
https://kjzz.org/content/1743877/tucson-police-investigating-saturday-va...
Tucson, AZ, September 2019
Some residents of the Sol y Luna apartment complexes hurled glass bottles and alcohol at the nearby Islamic Center of Tucson from their apartments. The owners of the buildings say they have enough evidence to begin evicting the residents involved.
Source:
https://tucson.com/news/local/apartment-owners-to-move-forward-with-evictions-after-mosque-vandalism/article_2bf7f679-2596-5127-a0a1-790bdfd0395d.html
Phoenix, March 2019
On the day following the New Zealand shooting, a man went to the United Islamic Center in Phoenix and attempted to enter parts of the mosque where he wasn’t allowed. When confronted by a mosque leader, he made a sawing gesture across his throat. He has since been charged with threatening and intimidating, disorderly conduct and trespassing.
Source:
https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/19/us/man-threatens-phoenix-mosque-trnd/index.html
Tempe, March 2018
Police arrested two women for burglary after they recorded themselves on Facebook live trespassing at the Islamic Community Center while making anti-Muslim statements. They brought their children with them to the mosque, ripped flyers off the bulletin board, and stole materials from a hallway.
Sources
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tempe-women-arrested-mosque-theft_us_5aaaff19e4b0337adf826764
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/mom-takes-kids-vandalize-mosque-tempe-180317093442196.html
Multiple locations, May 2017
Police said the suspect in two mosque burglaries in Arizona could also be linked to burglaries in Alabama and Virginia. In each case, the burglar stole money from the donation box.
Source:
https://www.annistonstar.com/free/police-say-arizona-mosque-burglaries-may-be-linked-to-string/article_effa3478-3b4e-11e7-82d4-bb60a1ae2678.html
Tucson, March 2017
Mosque leaders reported that someone broke into their mosque in the middle of the night, ripped up copies of the Quran, and threw them on the floor of the prayer room.
Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tucson-mosque-qurans_us_58c84983e4b022994fa2d3bb
Tucson, January 2016
Residents at a high-rise student housing facility have repeatedly thrown alcohol bottles and other debris from their balconies into the parking lot of a nearby mosque. Residents have also shouted racial slurs at mosque visitors.
Sources:
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/31135422/student-high-rise-managers-p...
http://tucson.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/ua-area-residents-repriman...
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/31017845/ua-students-throwing-glass-b...
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/31073566/4-ua-students-evicted-balcon...
Phoenix, December 2015
Vandals shattered windows at the Islamic Cultural Center.
Source:
http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/north-phoenix/vandalism-r...
Glendale, August 2010
Two men threw an “acid bomb” - a soda bottle filled with acid at a mosque - targeting mosque officials standing nearby.
Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0833871920070808
http://www.kpho.com/news/13849097/detail.html
Phoenix, August 2010
Vandals threw paint on the floor, shot out windows, and wrote anti-Muslim slurs on the walls of a local mosque.
Sources:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/09/08/20100908phoenix-mosque...
http://www.kpho.com/news/24935884/detail.html
Tucson, April 2007
Vandals ransacked a local mosque, writing "Bush was here" on one of the computer screens.
Source:
'Anti-Muslim rhetoric' cited after vandalism at mosque in UA area, Arizona Daily Star, Apr. 5, 2007
Arkansas
1 or 2 anti-mosque incidents
Fort Smith, October 2016
Police and the FBI investigated graffiti at two mosques in the area where vandals spray painted swastikas and the words “go home.” The vandals also damaged the sign, garage, and porch at one of the mosques.
Source:
http://5newsonline.com/2016/10/20/fbi-investigates-graffiti-vandalism-at-two-fort-smith-mosques-suspects-wanted/
Bella Vista, September 2010
The Bella Vista City Council met to consider banning the construction of mosques and the practice of Sharia Law within city limits.
Sources:
http://nwahomepage.com/fulltext-news?nxd_id=188955
http://jonah-m-tebbetts.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-jerusalem-in-benton-cou...
California
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Los Angeles, April 2023
A man was taken into custody after a surveillance camera captured video of him using a permanent marker to vandalize the Islamic Center of Southern California with anti-Islamic speech.
Source:
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-04-11/man-arrested-hate-graffiti-vandalism-islamic-center-mosque-koreatown
Tracy, December 2022
A man was caught on surveillance footage throwing a large rock through the window of the Tracy Islamic Center on the afternoon of December 31st.
Source:
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/breaking-cair-sacramento-calls-for-hate-crime-probe-of-vandalism-targeting-tracy-mosque/
Woodland, September 2021
A man was arrested after police said he threatened to commit a mass shooting at the Woodland Muslim Mosque and Islamic Center.
Source:
https://fox40.com/news/local-news/anxiety-and-fear-woodland-residents-react-to-mosque-shooting-threat-arrest/
San Fransico, November 15, 2021
The oldest mosque in San Francisco was vandalized after someone threw a beer bottle through one of the windows. Because alcohol is considered haram — or forbidden — in Islam, mosque leaders had to modify group prayers to accommodate for the smaller space while the alcohol was removed from the carpet.
Source:
https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article255845341.html
Hawthorne, January 2021
The Islamic Center of Hawthorne received a letter threatening to close the mosque and declaring: “Your religious services and rituals to praising [sic] silly Muhammed, is inconceivable and intolerable to me.”
Source:
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-la-condemns-letter-sent-to-hawthorne-mosque-threatening-muslims-jews-and-christians/
Brentwood, May 2021
Attackers vandalized the Islamic Center of Suffolk County with pro-Trump graffiti and burned a religious flag.
Source:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/flag-burned-graffiti-found-outside-long-island-mosque-police/ar-BB1gSWQY
Escondido, March 2019
An arsonist broke a lock to a parking lot gate, poured a flammable liquid near a side door, and set it on fire. A message in graffiti that referenced the New Zealand mosque shooting was left in the mosque’s parking lot.
Source:
ttps://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/03/25/california-mosque-was-set-ablaze-clear-homage-terrorist-attack-new-zealand/?utm_term=.f940cd213649
Sacramento, August 2017
Anonymous flyers encouraged residents to object to a renovation permit for the Madinah Islamic Center at a city planning meeting.
Sources:
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2017/08/17/anonymous-flyer-asks-west-sacramento-residents-to-dispute-islamic-center-permit/
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article168091537.html
Redlands, July 2017
The Islamic Society of California experienced a number of break-ins and incidents of vandalism since May.
Source:
http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20170804/redlands-police-investigate-break-ins-at-local-mosque
Sacramento, June 2017
Someone allegedly left a burned Quran filled with bacon handcuffed to a fence around the mosque.
Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-quran-burned-sacramento-mosques-20170626-story.html
https://mic.com/articles/180785/burned-quran-stuffed-with-bacon-found-outside-mosque-officials-investigate-hate-crime#.kxd4MljFy
http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/25/us/california-islamic-centers/index.html
Davis, June 2017
Police are looking into someone throwing “cut-up computer printer paper containing text from the Quran” at a mosque as he or she drove by. The next day, someone reportedly slashed the tires of a bicycle parked at the mosque.
Sources:
http://www.davisenterprise.com/local-news/bike-vandalism-at-islamic-center-called-hate-crime/
http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/25/us/california-islamic-centers/index.html
San Diego, February 2017
Supporters of President Trump’s Muslim ban rallied across the street from a mosque. The organizer said he saw it as “a very effective location to express [his] message.”
Source:
http://fox5sandiego.com/2017/02/11/supporters-of-travel-ban-hold-rally-near-mosque/
Roseville, February 2017
Police investigated a hate crime at a local mosque vandalized with vulgar graffiti disparaging “Allah” and Muslims.
Sources:
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2017/02/01/hate-related-graffiti-left-at-...
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article130135154.html
http://www.kcra.com/article/roseville-islamic-center-tagged-with-hate-sp...
Davis, January 2017
Surveillance video caught a woman shattering windows, leaving strips of raw bacon, and damaging bicycles at the Davis Islamic Center. Police investigated the incident as a hate crime
Sources
http://www.kcra.com/article/police-vandalism-at-davis-mosque-investigate...
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Vandalized-mosque-leaves-Davis-res...
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2017/02/01/davis-police-fbi-serving-searc...
Tustin, December 2016
A mosque received an anonymous voicemail asking where to drop a bomb and telling the listener to “have a lovely day worshipping your pedophilic God.”
Sources:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ayloush-738213-tustin-mosques.html
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Caller-Make-Bomb-Threat-to-Orange-County-Mosque-406428915.html
Simi Valley, December 2016
Suspects allegedly confronted and then stabbed a worshipper near the mosque in an apparent hate crime. The injuries are not life-threatening.
Source:
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-simi-valley-mosque-stabbing-20161211-story.html
Multiple locations, November 2016
Several mosques in California, and throughout the country, received a letter signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-mosque-letters-police-20161128-story.html
http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/11/29/66597/mosques-ask-congregations-to-be-vigilant-after-mor/
http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/11/25/san-jose-islamic-center-target-of-hate-filled-letter/
Los Angeles, September 2016
Police arrested a man who had called the Islamic Center of Southern California and made death threats to its members, in addition to dozens of anti-Muslim tweets like “Filthy Islamic beasts have no place in America.” Police said the man had a “large cache of weapons and ammunition at his home.”
Source:
http://abc7.com/news/man-with-arsenal-threatens-islamic-center-of-socal-lapd-says/1573493/
Stockton, January 2016
Suspects stole a flat screen TV and a donation box with hundreds of dollars in it from Masjid Al Emaan.
Source:
http://fox40.com/2016/01/11/thieves-take-flat-screen-tv-donation-box-fro...
Alameda, December 2015
Someone threw a brick through a large window at a building that is still labeled the Islamic Center of Alameda, although it was vacant at the time. The mosque had previously received hateful phone calls.
Source:
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_29248592/alameda-vacant-build...
Richmond, December 2015
A resident yelled, “I’m going to kill you all” at worshippers leaving the Islamic Society of West Contra Costa County, according to a mosque leader.
Sources:
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_29294710/richmond-donald-trum...
http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_29309711/richmond-man-m...
Tracy, December 2015
Mosque leaders found an apparent Molotov cocktail that someone had thrown inside the gate of the Tracy Islamic Center near the side door.
Sources:
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Tracy-mosque-attacked-in-what-Musl...
http://fox40.com/2015/12/27/tracy-islamic-center-returns-to-normalcy-aft...
Hawthorne, December 2015
Someone wrote “Jesus is the way” on the Islamic Center of Hawthorne building.
Sources:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/12/13/hawthorne-california-mosqu...
http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20151213/2-hawthorne-mosques-vandalize...
Coachella, December 2015
Someone set a mosque on fire while worshippers prayed inside. No one was injured.
Sources:
http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/coachella/2015/12/11/structure...
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-authorities-investigate-blaz...
Hayward, August 2012
Four teenagers threw lemons at a mosque and struck at least one person inside.
Source:
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_21266516'
Ontario, CA, August 2012
Three pig legs were thrown on the driveway of a house of worship during Ramadan.
Sources:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/inland_empire&id=87...
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Pigs-Legs-Al-Nur-Islamic-Center-...
La Mirada, July 2011
Someone threw a rock through a mosque's newly installed glass doors.
Source:
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/crime/ci_18509705
Stockton, April 2011
A mosque was burned down in a fire that also damaged nearby buildings. Investigators determined that the fire was deliberately set.
Source:
http://www.news10.net/news/local/article/139290/2/Stockton-mosque-fire-w...
Madera, August 2010
Vandals threw a brick at a local mosque and left signs outside that read, "Wake up America, the enemy is here," and "No temple for the god of terrorism."
Sources:
http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/la-me-0908-madera-mosque-20100908,0...
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/08/local/la-me-0908-madera-mosque-2...
http://cbs13.com/local/mosque.vandalism.madera.2.1879381.html
Sacramento, August 2010
A plastic pig inscribed with "No Mosque in NYC," "Remember 9-11," and "Mo-Ham-ed" was left in a mosque's mailbox.
Source:
http://www.dailypress.com/topic/ktxl-news-sacramentomosquetargetedwithto...
Lomita, CA, March 2010
The City Council denied a request for a zoning change that would have allowed a local mosque to its expand its facilities due to alleged traffic concerns even though a traffic study concluded that the proposed expansion would not increase traffic and the city’s community development director, as well as the city planning commission, both recommended approval of the project. Since then, a lawsuit was filed against the City of Lomita challenging its decision to deny the mosque a permit.
Sources:
http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/03/02/lomita-mosque/
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/03/lomita-rejects-plan-to-exp...
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/03/lomita-mosque-lawsuit.html
Mission Viejo, January 2010
A religious display was vandalized with spray paint and an anti-Muslim message was left on the Islamic portion of an interfaith display.
Source:
http://www.ocregister.com/news/display-226852-hate-islamic.html
Costa Mesa, January 2010
Burned and desecrated copies of the Quran were left at a mosque on separate occasions.
Sources:
http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-mosque-vandalized,0,6306717.story
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/01/orange-county-mosque-hit-b...
Morada, CA, July 2009
The Morada Area Association, a private organization of local property owners, filed suit to stop construction of a mosque approved already approved by the local Board of Supervisors. Among the concerns cited throughout the debate over the mosque were its “social and cultural implications.”
Sources:
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090716/A_NEWS/3071...
http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_ce5bb451-2869-5447-b524-69e1549116f...
http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/property-law-real-property-zoning-land-...
Cypress, June 2009
Vandals painted threats on the front wall of a local mosque, warning, "We will kill you all" and "U.S. military is going to kill you all."
Sources:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Racial-Slurs-Painted-on-Cyp...
http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-mosque-vandals,0,194500.story
Antioch, August 2007
A local mosque was torched, rendering the building unusable.
Source:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2007-08-13/bay-area/17258314_1_mosque-one-ala...
Colorado
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Denver, November 2019
The Denver Police Department arrested an armed man after he fled from a mosque. The man made anti-Muslim comments and was making threats towards people outside the mosque.
Source:
https://kdvr.com/2019/11/14/denver-police-armed-male-arrested-after-fleeing-from-mosque/
Grand Junction, September 2019
Police are looking for a man they say vandalized a local mosque. Officials at the Two Rivers Mosque say landscaping was uprooting and the mosque’s sign was covered in spray paint.
Source:
https://www.kjct8.com/content/news/Police-investigating-vandalism-of-local-mosque--560830231.html
Denver, June 2017
A man reportedly called multiple mosques in the area making statements such as “Allah is a f---ing pig” and “You guys are going to pay for Manchester and London.”
Sources:
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/lakewood-mosque-calls-for-increased-police-protection-following-threat
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/06/06/mosque-phone-threats-interview/
Fort Collins, March 2017
Police arrested a 35-year-old man who they said admitted to vandalizing the Islamic Center of Fort Collins. The man allegedly tried to break in with a screwdriver, and when that failed, threw a rock through the glass door. Inside, the man overturned trash cans and chairs and left a Bible in the mosque’s prayer room.
Sources:
http://time.com/4713646/fort-collins-colorado-mosque/
http://www.9news.com/news/crime/police-suspect-admits-to-mosque-vandalism/426457466
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/crime/accused-fort-collins-mosque-vandal-back-in-jail-after-failing-to-appear-at-first-court-hearin
Denver, February 2017
Surveillance video depicts a man wandering around attempting to enter a mosque at night and then he appears to throw a rock through the window.
Sources:
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/02/27/mosque-vandalized-police-search-for-suspects/
http://www.9news.com/news/local/rock-thrown-through-window-of-denver-mosque/415644052
Golden, May 2016
An individual sent threatening emails to a member of the Islamic Center of Golden. In the emails, the individual wrote that he carries "two extra magazines" in his pockets as well as "two knives and a collapsible baton" because the Muslims would still outnumber the bullets.
Sources:
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/golden-police-investigate-threatening-emails-sent-to-mosque
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/06/01/mosque-in-golden-targeted-by-threatening-emails/
Connecticut
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
New Haven, May 2019
An arsonist set fire to Diyanet Mosque just before 4 PM on a Sunday during the holy month of Ramadan. An investigation is ongoing.
Source:
https://www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-br-new-haven-mosque-fire-20190512-yh3d76ovmja2fntbxb7t4gcuva-story.html
Hartford, April 2019
In the wake of the New Zealand mosque shooting, an anonymous caller contacted the mosque and threatened to burn it down. The threat is under investigation by local police and the FBI.
Source:
https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-connecticut-mosque-threat-20190418-x4bwnkwm6jflzo5su25xcpyc5y-story.html
West Haven, December 2016
A local mosque building, along with mosques throughout the country, received a letter signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Source:
http://www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-mosque-threat-letter-1208-20161207-story.html
Waterbury, June 2016
Police came to a mosque after reports two days in a row about a man yelling out slurs and generally harassing members. Police have a suspect in custody.
Sources:
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/news/latestnews/9013465-154/police-respond-to-harassment-reports-at-connecticut-mosque.html
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Man-Arrested-for-Harassing-Members-of-MosquePolice-384336941.html
Meriden, November 2015
Members arrived at the Baitul Aman mosque to find four bullet holes in the wall next to the prayer hall. No one was injured.
Sources:
http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-meriden-malloy-prayer-service-1121-20...
http://abc7ny.com/news/shots-fired-at-ct-mosque-hours-after-paris-attack...
Middleton, CT, August 2012
A proposal to expand a mosque’s parking lot was met with concerns from neighbors and community members as well as accusations of terrorist ties by a group called Radical Islam.
Sources:
http://ind.gmnews.com/news/2012-06-14/Front_Page/Planning_Board_postpone...
http://middletown-nj.patch.com/articles/planning-board-approves-islamic-...
Norwalk, April 2012
A group of residents hired a lawyer to oppose the construction of a local mosque. After a contentious public hearing, the Norwalk Zoning Commission rejected the mosque application. The Islamic Center has appealed the decision.
Sources:
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Proposed-mosque-in-Norwalk-draws-con...
http://www.thehour.com/news/norwalk/al-madany-center-of-norwalk-files-la...
Bridgeport, August 2010
Picketers targeted a mosque during Ramadan and shouted "murderers" and "Jesus hates Muslims" at worshippers, including children.
Source:
www.ctpost.com/news/article/Angry-protesters-descend-on-mosque-606515.php
Wallingford, CT, May 2008
The local planning and zoning commission denied a permit to build a mosque, citing traffic and parking concerns, after opponents of the project formed a coalition to lobby against it, and one opponent expressed concerns about Islam’s allegedly “ill treatment” of women.
Sources:
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/latestnews/article_36e7c49f-dffa-5da3-beb...
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/latestnews/article_6bb08be7-912b-5f2b-bf7...
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/latestnews/article_7cefce41-bfce-5a4c-ae5...
Florida
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Pembroke Pines, May 2018
Police arrested a man suspected of making multiple threatening calls to the Jamaat Ul Muttaqueen mosque in the days leading up to Ramadan. The voicemails included threats to bomb the mosque and called Islam a lie from the devil. The man later admitted to making the calls.
Sources:
https://www.wdel.com/a-man-repeatedly-threatened-to-blow-up-a-mosque-the/article_19cf717c-5a08-11e8-a3f0-b386fffde032.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/florida-man-charged-with-phoning-bomb-threat-to-mosque/2018/05/16/8449aa0e-593b-11e8-9889-07bcc1327f4b_story.html?utm_term=.b9b5561b3539
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article211272884.html
Orange County, April 2018
Residents from the county and beyond objected to a proposed Islamic community center. Some letters contained comments such as “Keep terrorism out” and “I don’t want the troubles Europe has.”
Source:
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/keep-terrorists-out-residents-write-to-commissioners-in-response-to-new-islamic-center/730348902
Jacksonville, December 2017
Authorities arrested a man who they say had been planning to shoot people at a local mosque. He’s been charged with knowingly receiving and possessing an unregistered silencer.
Source:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/data/crime/fbi-jacksonville-man-arrested-for-plotting-mass-shooting-at-islamic-center/77-496753289
Tampa, June 2017
Police said a man intentionally crashed his truck into the parking lot and gate of the Islamic Society of Tampa.
Source:
http://wfla.com/2017/06/26/deputies-man-intentionally-crashed-truck-into-gate-and-cars-at-tampa-mosque/
Pompano Beach, June 2017
Police arrested a man for threatening to blow up a mosque. He allegedly called the mosque and said, "Your mosque is going to be blown the (expletive) up tonight. We are going to kill all of you and ISIS in America."
Sources:
https://www.local10.com/news/crime/man-threatens-to-blow-up-mosque-after-incident-at-muslim-owned-convenience-store
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/pompano-beach/fl-sb-mosque-threat-pompano-20170623-story.html
Port St. Lucie, April 2017
Residents objected to a proposed mosque, saying it would promote terrorism. One resident said that 15 percent of the Muslim population “seeks to destroy and kill you and me. As you go to bed tonight, they’re trying to figure out ways to do that.”
Sources:
http://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/st-lucie-county/2017/04/24/potential-mosque-port-st-lucie-city-council/100866402/
http://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/port-st-lucie/rumored-mosque-in-port-st-lucie-sparks-controversy-city-leaders-say-there-is-no-plan
Miami Gardens, February 2017
A man allegedly left a threatening voice mail at the Masjid Mosque, saying he was going to “go down to your center, I’m gonna shoot all y’all” and adding that he “hate[s] everything about Islam.”
Sources:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article154893504.html
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/06/15/gerald-wallace-islamic-center-threat/
Tampa, February 2017
Authorities determined that someone intentionally set fire to the Islamic Society of New Tampa, forcing worshippers to pray elsewhere while their mosque is repaired.
Sources:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/authorities-say-fire-was-intentionally-set-at-florida-mosque-1.3300353
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/officials-investigating-fire-outside-of-hillsborough-county-mosque
Boynton Beach, November 2016
Someone vandalized a mosque, spray-painting anti-Islam profanities.
Sources:
http://cbs12.com/news/local/boynton-mosque-defaced-with-racist-islamophobic-graffiti
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime—law/boynton-mosque-vandalized-islamic-group-seeks-hate-crime-probe/Q2Ua6YQI0QjNholyB82ziM/
Multiple locations, November 2016
Mosques in Florida, and throughout the country, received a letter signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Sources:
http://cbs12.com/news/local/south-florida-mosques-receive-letters-calling-for-genocide
http://www.local10.com/news/letter-sent-to-miami-gardens-mosque-claims-trump-will-do-to-muslims-what-hitler-did-to-jews
Fort Pierce, September 2016
Arsonist sets fire to the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce, a mosque once attended by the Pulse nightclub shooter.
Source:
http://cbs12.com/news/local/fire-destroys-mosque-in-fort-pierce
Fort Pierce, July 2016
Mosques throughout Florida, particularly the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce, have received multiple threats in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando. People have also harassed mosque members, including beating up one man after trying to rob him. The shooter in Orlando used to attend the Islamic Center, according to media reports.
Sources:
http://wfla.com/2016/07/03/islamic-group-muslim-man-beaten-outside-mateens-mosque-suspect-arrested/
http://www.wesh.com/news/threats-made-against-mosques-in-seminole-county/40374466
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-fort-pierce-mosque-threats-20160628-story.html
http://cbs12.com/news/local/man-charged-with-hate-crime-in-attack-of-islamic-mosque-member
Sunrise, June 2016
A woman allegedly entered a mosque with a cell phone with an exposed battery and something wrapped in a brown paper bag, saying everyone was going to die.
Source:
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/06/20/woman-arrested-after-making-bomb-threat-at-sunrise-mosque/
Windermere, March 2016
Residents objected to plans for a potential mosque, including overt and indirect accusations about Islam.
Source:
http://www.wftv.com/news/local/some-windermere-residents-raise-concern-o...
Titusville, January 2016 Someone used a machete to vandalize the Al-Mumin Mosque by ripping down lights and smashing windows. The vandal also left a slab of raw bacon at the front door.
Sources: http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2016/01/03/titusville-mosque-vand...
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-titusville-mosque-v...
http://www.myfoxboston.com/news/machete-wielding-vandal-leaves-3-pounds-...
Sunrise, January 2016
A Facebook user threatened to burn down local mosques.
Source:
http://www.wsvn.com/story/30959721/anti-muslim-facebook-post-puts-sunris...
North Palm Beach, December 2015
Police charged a 27-year-old man for allegedly breaking multiple windows at the Islamic Center of Palm Beach.
Sources:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/crime-law/man-faces-hate-crime-ch...
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-islamic-center-palm-vand...
http://www.wptv.com/news/region-n-palm-beach-county/north-palm-beach/isl...
St. Petersburg, November 2015
A nearby resident left a voice mail saying his personal militia would come to shoot those present in the head. “I don’t care if they’re (expletive) 2 years old or 100,” the resident said.
Source:
http://wfla.com/2015/12/09/st-petersburg-mosque-beefs-up-security-follow...
Gainesville, July 2010 Protestors outside of a local mosque carried signs declaring that "Islam is the devil."
Source:
www.news4jax.com/news/24148793/detail.html
Miami, June 2010
Vandals smashed windows and slashed tires at an Islamic center two years after it was targeted by gunfire.
Sources:
www.justnews.com/news/20990455/detail.html
http://www.justnews.com/news/19940450/detail.html
http://cbs4.com/local/Miami.Dade.Muslim.2.899207.html
Jacksonville, May 2010
Vandals firebombed the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida.
Sources:
www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/05/12/Mosque-in-Jacksonville-Fla-firebombed...
www.news4jax.com/news/23514333/detail.html
http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2010-05-11/story/fbi-video-jacksonvil...
Pompano Beach, June 2006
Opponents of a proposed mosque claimed that Muslims "come in to rape the community and go away," and filed a lawsuit to stop construction on the ground that mosque leaders had ties to terrorist organizations.
Sources: www.justnews.com/news/9367230/detail.html
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/07/15/Worldandnation/Seeking_a_new_mosque_.s...
http://www.theledger.com/article/20070502/NEWS/705020464
White City
After mosque developers downsized their plans, the county commission unanimously approved the project despite strong opposition from local residents.
Sources:
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/dec/04/st-lucie-to-revisit-proposal-to-b...
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/feb/18/mosque-okd-white-city/
Georgia
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Griffin, October 2021
The Griffin mosqueo was vandalized by people who reportedly threw Qurans on the floor, took a fire extinguisher from the wall and sprayed it throughout the building, and knocked over various items.
Source:
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.griffindailynews.com%2Fnews%2Flocal_news%2Fvandals-damage-local-mosque%2Farticle_2122af7d-8270-5470-8c0b-6c4cb17344d3.html
Augusta, June 2017 - August 2017
A man made numerous threatening phone calls to the Islamic Society of Augusta, including threats to blow up the mosque, slaughter, and light members of the mosque on fire. The man later pleaded guilty and admitted his intent to stop mosque members from exercising their religion.
Source:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/missouri-man-pleads-guilty-hate-crimes-making-threats-against-augusta-mosque
Atlanta, February and March 2017
Four mosques received death threats like those sent to mosques in other states. One of the messages to three mosques in the area threatened to hunt “Muzlims Mexicans Blacks” until they are “dead or gone.” One mosque received a threat including a “hand-drawn picture of someone being beheaded,” signed “Muslim slayer,” according to news reports.
Sources:
http://fox2now.com/2017/03/06/four-atlanta-area-mosques-receive-death-threats/
http://www.11alive.com/news/crime/mailed-emailed-death-threats-prompt-ga-mosques-ot-up-security/420032821
http://www.wsbradio.com/news/news/local/atlanta-mosques-urged-increase-security-after-thre/ntsD9/
Savannah, November 2016
The Islamic Center of Savannah, and mosques throughout the country, received a letter signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Sources:
http://www.wgrz.com/news/hate-letter-sent-to-savannah-mosque/357823975
http://www.11alive.com/news/hate-letter-sent-to-savannah-mosque/356918921
http://savannahnow.com/news/2016-11-28/message-hate-rebuffed-community-islamic-center-savannah
Covington, August 2016
The Newton County Board of Commissioners placed a temporary moratorium on permits for places of worship shortly after the community objected, often with Islamophobic language, to a proposed mosque. The Board later had to cancel a meeting to discuss the moratorium and proposed mosque after a militia group posted a threatening video. The moratorium is no longer in effect.
Sources:
http://www.wgauradio.com/news/news/local/no-more-mosque-ban-newton-co/nscCb/
http://www.11alive.com/news/local/covington/newton-county-cemetery-mosque-upsetting-residents/299923784
http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/news/local/residents-at-boc-meeting-state-why-they-oppose-proposed-mosque/article_b8c39f52-2935-5fac-9860-5cb7b0347b3e.html
http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/23/us/georgia-town-mosque-fight/
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/newton-county-to-lift-moratorium-on-mosque/nsPZt/
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/meeting-about-proposed-georgia-mosque-canceled-after-militia-video-surfaces-n648106
Alpharetta, August 2016
Someone reportedly emailed the Islamic Center of North Fulton threatening to destroy the mosque and “kill your kids.”
Sources:
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/north-fulton-county/mosque-emailed-threat-says-someone-will-destroy-mosque-kill-kids/445367055
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/islamic-center-official-decries-recent-death-threa/nsTTB/
Macon, December 2015
Vandals wrote the word "Terrorist" and profanity on the back and windows of the Islamic Center.
Source:
http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/crime/2015/12/15/macon-mosque-vandalize...
Marietta, July 2011
Signs of forcible entry were found at a mosque, indicating that the fire which damaged the building was set intentionally.
Source:
http://www.trivalleycentral.com/articles/2011/07/30/coolidge_examiner/re...
Alpharetta, June 2010
An Islamic center filed suit after the city council disregarded a favorable recommendation by the city's community development staff and denied permits to expand the center's facilities.
Source:
www.ajc.com/news/north-fulton/alpharetta-votes-down-islamic-534477.html
Alpharetta, March 2010
Opponents of a mosque set to be built by the Hazmah Islamic Center filed suit after the Forsyth County Commission voted to approve the project.
Source:
http://www.forsythnews.com/section/5/article/6109/
Lilburn, December 2009
An Islamic center filed suit after the city council refused to grant permits to build a new mosque, and local opponents made anti-Muslim comments, such as "I just don't like Muslims" and "I don't want them taking over our neighborhood."
Sources:
www.cbsatlanta.com/news/21406971/detail.html
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archives/headlines/82923102.html
Complaint, A.G.A. Islamic Organization v. City of Lilburn, Case 1:09-cv-03549-TWT (N.D. Ga. Dec. 17, 2009)
Hawaii
1 or 2 anti-mosque incidents
Oahu, March 2017
The Muslim Association of Hawaii and its members received multiple hateful messages after President Trump announced the second iteration of his “Muslim ban.”
Source:
http://www.ibtimes.com/muslim-hate-crimes-hawaii-mosque-receives-threatening-messages-amid-new-trump-travel-2504475
While mosque opponents frequently claim their objections are based on practical considerations such as traffic, parking, and noise levels, those asserted concerns are often pretexts masking anti-Muslim sentiment. Government officials in some areas of the country have yielded to this religious bigotry, treating mosques and Islamic centers differently than other proposed houses of worship and/or denying zoning permits without the compelling interest that is required by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (a federal civil rights law that affords heightened legal protection to the use of property for religious purposes). Even where local governments strongly support religious freedom, private citizens nevertheless often seek to intimidate Muslims into forgoing the exercise of this freedom.
The Constitution guarantees the right of private citizens to protest, and the ACLU would vigorously defend that right if infringed by the government. But making Muslims – or any other religious group – feel unwelcome in local communities conflicts with our Founders' vision of religious liberty and tolerance. Protests that cross the line into violence and other criminal acts are, of course, not protected by law and are indefensible.
If you are aware of an anti-mosque incident not on this list, please contact us.
Idaho
3 or 4 anti-mosque incidents
Twin Falls, October 2018
Vandal shattered a double-paned window at the Islamic Center of Twin Falls on Halloween night.
Source:
https://magicvalley.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/twin-falls-islamic-center-vandalized-on-halloween/article_486333d1-3ef5-5c92-85b2-7ff77f87fdbb.html
Twin Falls, October 2017
Someone left a cross draped in bacon and pig’s feet and tongue at the Islamic Center of Twin Falls. Authorities are calling it a hate crime.
Sources:
http://magicvalley.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/police-investigate-cross-wrapped-in-pig-parts-at-twin-falls/article_78abb1f7-08fa-5eb1-8158-91e254e6b19f.html
https://idahostatejournal.com/news/local/police-investigating-hate-crime-at-south-idaho-mosque/article_5202a2a1-211d-59a5-b22c-e1ae0ba9b94f.html
Twin Falls, December 2015
Vandals wrote the words "hunt camp?" on an Islamic Center building under construction.
Sources:
http://www.kmvt.com/content/news/Islamic-Center-of-Twin-Falls-vandalized...
http://www.localnews8.com/news/islamic-center-of-twin-falls-vandalized-w...
Illinois
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Plainfield, August 2017
The Village Board denied a revised proposal for a special use permit for a mosque and community center. In September, the Board approved it.
Sources:
http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/08/22/request-to-open-muslim-community-center-in-plainfield-neighborhood-fails/az1m5ss/
https://patch.com/illinois/plainfield/stand-muslims-plainfield-event-planned-after-muslim-center-voted-down
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Planned-Plainfield-Mosque-Approved-After-Initial-Rejection-445558553.html
Des Plaines, February 2017
A judge ruled that Society of American Bosnians and Herzegovinians and the DOJ’s case against the city for discrimination would proceed to trial. In 2015, the Department of Justice filed suit against the city, which denied a rezoning request from the mosque group to set up a community center and prayer hall in 2013. In June 2017, the case settled.
Sources:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/des-plaines/ct-des-plaines-islamic-center-settlement-met-20170606-story.html
http://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/511085905-bosnian-muslim-congregation-can-take-to-trial-lawsuit-over-zoning-denial-for-des-plaines-mosque
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170228/news/170228873/
Peoria, January 2017
Someone allegedly spray-painted white supremacy markings on the sign for the Islamic Center of Peoria.
Sources:
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20170116/islamic-centers-sign-defaced-alleged...
http://www.week.com/story/34277928/islamic-center-of-peoria-defaced-with...
Chicago, June 2016
Multiple mosques in the Chicago area received threats following the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.
Source:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/06/13/threat-reported-against-chicago-area-mosque-muslim-leaders-say/
Palos Park, February 2016
In response to a proposed new mosque, someone anonymously placed flyers in residents’ mailboxes warning of traffic, large Muslim families, “[w]omen wearing burkas,” and decreased property values.
Source:
http://abc7chicago.com/religion/flyers-circulating-in-sw-suburbs-fighting-new-mosque/1184079/
Wheaton, January 2016
The police chief and others received an email containing a fake website claiming to represent the Islamic Center of Wheaton, advocating violent acts. Police confirmed the center’s leaders were not behind the website.
Source:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-wheaton-islamic-cen...
Lombard, August 2012
A bottle filled with acid and other unspecified materials was thrown at an Islamic school during the nighttime Ramadan prayers.
Source:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/08/13/islamic-school-hit-with-acid-fill...
Morton Grove, August 2012
A pellet rifle was fired at a mosque during Ramadan, damaging the outer wall of the building.
Source:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57492050-504083/david-conrad-51-a...
Des Plaines, July 2010
The city council approved an expanded parking lot for a local mosque despite objections from residents, with the Mayor explaining, that “[t]here have been other churches that have had additional parking (expansions). . . . I don't remember any controversy as far as I've been on the council.”
Source:
Mosque faces growing pains, Madhu Krishnamurthy, Daily Herald, July 18, 2010
Naperville, April 2010
An Islamic group filed suit against the county after being denied a permit to build a mosque; county officials asked inappropriate questions, such as whether there would be any animal sacrifices on premise; and local opponents falsely claimed the group has ties to terrorist organizations. The DuPage County Board later changed its zoning laws to restrict the operation of new houses of worship in residential neighborhoods.
Sources:
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=371825
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-08-26/news/ct-met-dupage-zoning-...
Complaint, Irshad Learning Center v. County of DuPage, No. 1:10-cv-02168 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 8, 2010)
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-10-11/news/chi-dupage-board-plac...
Indiana
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Bloomington, October 2021
A Bloomington mosque was vandalized on an early Monday morning, damaging tables, fences, and outdoor equipment.
Source:
https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/muslim-mosque-vandalism-islamic-center-of-bloomington-police-department-civil-rights-advocacy-group-cair/531-1a13aca9-01bd-4e74-b965-d065b6c4d5a5
Carmel, February 2018
Residents came out in force to voice their opposition to a proposed mosque, claiming it would hurt their property values. The zoning board has previously approved similar projects.
Sources:
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/2018/01/22/carmel-mosque-considered-zoning-appeals-board-tonight/1054985001/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/01/15/carmel-indiana-mosque-plans/1033737001/
Bloomington, June 2017
Islamic Center officials reported two suspicious voicemail messages, each with just one word: “Ramadan.”
Sources:
http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/news/local/police-beat-suspicious-activity-burglary-theft/article_af8164f1-37dc-589a-97c7-b6276f956b30.html
Evansville, February 2017
An unidentified man allegedly came into a mosque, harassed women preparing food in the kitchen, and said he had been leaving pork outside the mosque door.
Sources:
http://forward.com/news/364792/in-quiet-indiana-city-a-rash-of-attacks-on-religious-sites-brings-national/
Indianapolis, November 2016
A local mosque, and mosques throughout the country, received a letter signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Sources:
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/11/29/letter-threatens-indy-muslims-trump-cleanse/94631760/
Plainfield, June 2016
A maintenance worker noticed bullet holes in the sign for the Islamic Society of North America, and mosque members have since received hateful messages online.
Sources:
http://www.wthr.com/story/32247892/plainfield-police-investigate-bullet-holes-found-in-islamic-centers-sign
http://wishtv.com/2016/06/17/bullet-holes-discovered-in-islamic-society-sign/
Plainfield, February 2016
Three men vandalized the headquarters of the Islamic Society of North America with obscenities and racial slurs.
Sources:
http://www.kokomotribune.com/acrossindiana/plainfield-mosque-vandalized/...
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2016/02/29/islamic-society-draw...
Iowa
3 or 4 anti-mosque incidents
Waterloo, December 2021
A surveillance camera showed someone vandalizing the Al-Noor Islamic Community Center. The suspect used snow to draw crosses on the mosque's windows and wrote Islamophonic profanities on the mosque's walls.
Sources:
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2022/01/05/hate-crime-investigation-sought-into-iowa-mosque-vandalism/9106977002/
https://www.kwwl.com/news/waterloo/waterloo-islamic-center-calls-for-togetherness-after-vandalism/article_ece49c02-7013-11ec-9788-ff4843b567fb.html
Des Moines, March 2017
The Islamic Center of Des Moines received a handwritten letter like those received by mosques throughout the country, signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Source:
http://www.kcci.com/article/disturbing-anti-islamic-note-rattles-community/9154853
Waterloo, October 2016
Children planting trees at a local mosque found “Trump” spray-painted on the side of the building.
Source:
http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/waterloo-islamic-center-vandalized/article_47649647-de92-5436-9ff5-f20ea3a93e71.html
Kansas
3 or 4 anti-mosque incidents
Wichita, December 2017
Police investigated and increased security around the Wichita Islamic Society when a picture of the building was posted on Facebook in response to a post asking for gun range recommendations.
Source:
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas/articles/2017-12-18/post-suggesting-kansas-mosque-as-shooting-range-raises-fears
Garden City, October 2016
Federal officials charged three men with allegedly conspiring to bomb an apartment complex that also serves as a mosque for many Somali refugees. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office complaint, the men are part of a militia group called the Crusaders, and had conducted surveillance on potential targets, stockpiled weapons, and put together a manifesto to release after the bombing, which the men planned for Nov. 9.
Sources:
http://www.gctelegram.com/news/local/three-men-arrested-in-plot-to-bomb-garden-city-apartment/article_c90d54df-d676-5b11-9b73-bd08cb94ce7f.html
http://www.startribune.com/somali-americans-remain-vigilant-in-wake-of-thwarted-kansas-bomb-plot/397202791/
http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/14/us/mosque-attack-thwarted-kansas/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/militia-members-arrested-mosque-attack-plot/
Wichita, March 2016
The Islamic Society of Wichita canceled a speaker fundraising event after hearing protesters’ plans to come armed. Congressman Mike Pompeo also called on the mosque to cancel the event, in part because it was planned for "Holy Friday."
Source:
http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article69548302.html
Wichita, October 2011
A fire that caused more than $100,000 in damages to a mosque was declared arson.
Source:
http://www.ksn.com/news/local/story/Wichita-mosque-fire-declared-arson/6...
Kentucky
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Lexington, March 2017
The Masjid Bilal Mosque received a hand-written letter postmarked from England warning that “An explosive device will be placed at your Mosque very soon.”
Sources:
http://weku.fm/post/lexington-mosque-targeted-bomb-threat
http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article136828668.html
Owensboro, November 2016
Someone covered the mosque sign and door with paintballs. It is the second time the mosque has been vandalized this year.
Source:
http://www.wbtv.com/story/33698509/owensboro-islamic-center-vandalized-for-second-time-this-year
Owensboro, January 2016
A person or group of people vandalized the Islamic Center of Owensboro with ketchup, but officials are not investigating it as a hate crime since the vandal(s) left no words or symbols.
Source:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/mosque-vandalized-group-calls-hate-cr...
Lexington, November 2015
A man sent an email to the Islamic Center of Lexington threatening to kill everyone inside.
Sources:
http://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Man-charged-with-sending-email-threat-t...
http://www.wtvq.com/2015/11/27/email-threatens-kentucky-mosque/
Mayfield, August 2010
The Board of Zoning Adjustments denied a permit for local Muslims to worship in a rented storefront, reversing the board's unanimous decision weeks earlier to grant the same permit.
Sources:
www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Mayfield-to-vote-on-Mosque-Tuesday-1013392...
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wkms/news.newsmain/article/0/1/1690713
Florence, June 2010
Opponents of a proposed mosque have distributed fliers urging neighbors to "to stop the takeover of our country," and have set up a website alleging that the mosque is "the first phase of a Master Plan."
Sources:
www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010308160051
http://www.fox19.com/global/story.asp?s=12920148
http://www.fox19.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146
http://the-vigilante.com/2010/08/05/northern-kentucky-rising-stop-the-mo...
Louisiana
1 or 2 anti-mosque incidents
Bossier City, February 2017
Mosque-goers found two signs at their place of worship that reportedly said “Imagine a Muslim-free America!”
Source:
http://www.ksla.com/story/34500466/anti-muslim-signs-posted-at-bossier-city-mosque
Bossier, May 2011
Pork was left on the door handles of a mosque so that attendees would have to touch it as they went inside.
Source:
http://www.ksla.com/story/14602327/bossier-mosque-vandalized
Maine
3 or 4 anti-mosque incidents
Portland, June 2017
Police are investigating a letter sent to the Islamic Society of Portland, saying in part, “I will enjoy the sight of the blood of you and your fellow vermin running into the streets. It will be a great experience come August.” A mosque in New York received an apparently similar letter.
Sources:
http://www.pressherald.com/2017/06/22/portland-police-investigate-menacing-letter-sent-to-islamic-center-as-hate-crime/
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan-mosque-receives-massacre-threat-london-article-1.3268548
Portland, May 2011
Vandals left graffiti on the side of a mosque saying, “Go home” and “Osama Today Islam Tomorrow (sic).”
Source:
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Graffiti-on-Portland-mosque-under-invest...
Portland, August 2009
The Maine Civil Liberties Union filed suit when the city refused to allow a group of Muslims to use a former television repair shop they had purchased for prayer services and religious study.
Sources:
www.pressherald.com/archive/city-sued-for-barring-use-of-building-as-mos...
http://www.aclu.org/blog/content/mosque-maine
Lewiston, July 2006
Someone rolled a pig’s head into a mosque’s prayer room while a few dozen men were praying.
Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/05/us/05maine.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Maryland
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Baltimore, September 2023
Two mosques in the area received concerning phone calls in the span of two weeks. The Muhammad Mosque was targeted by a bomb threat and a caller to the Islamic Society of Baltimore & Masjid Al-Rahmah threatened to enter the mosque and attack worshippers.
Source:
https://religionnews.com/2023/09/01/another-dmv-area-mosque-receives-threatening-call/
Harford County, March 3, 2020
Plans to build a mosque in Harford County, Maryland have drawn condemnation from local residents. On social media, some have expressed anger and fear about the proposed mosque, while others have threatened to destroy the house of worship. In Facebook posts, Muslims have been described as invaders and Islam described as preaching the killing of non-believers. Others posted direct threats to the mosque and to Muslims, such as burning the facility down if is built or arming themselves with weapons to protest the house of worship.
Source:
https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/cng-ag-creswell-mosque-0304-20200303-no4tqy6sjnhpvmp4wxnymafm6e-story.html
Howard County, March 2019
An online threat was made in response to a promotion of the Maryum Islamic Center’s fundraising dinner in Howard County, Maryland. The threat is being investigated.
Source:
https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2019/03/22/security-increased-following-threat-at-howard-co-mosque
Silver Spring, February 2017
Someone sent a note to two mosques offering to donate money to charity “for every Muslim slaughtered” and drew a stick figure depiction of someone being killed.
Sources:
http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/238819845-story
http://www.abc2news.com/news/state/cair-asks-for-investigation-of-threatening-note-left-at-maryland-mosque
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/violent-threats-made-in-letters-to-two-muslim-facilities-in-maryland/2017/03/01/0515bac0-fe9c-11e6-8f41-ea6ed597e4ca_story.html?utm_term=.4163b7dbfd6b
Gaithersburg, February 2017
An intruder in all white was caught on surveillance footage searching through the drawers of the Islamic Center of Maryland.
Source:
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/02/06/reward-offered-for-id-of-break-...
Laurel, September 2016
Surveillance video captured a tractor-trailer at night twice backing up into the mosque, damaging railings and an awning.
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/muslim-group-wants-federal-probe-after-tractor-trailer-rams-laurel-mosque/2016/09/09/b9770a74-76d3-11e6-8149-b8d05321db62_story.html
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/09/12/suspicious-crash-at-mosque-prompts-hate-crime-investigation-in-laurel/
Gaithersburg, MD, November 2008
Vandals shot paintballs at a local mosque.
Source:
http://www.gazette.net/stories/11032008/montnew164228_32505.shtml
Walkersville, June 2007
The town amended its zoning ordinance in an effort to block a mosque from being built on local farmland.
Sources:
www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,307692,00.html
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_comments.htm?Stor...
Moxley v. Town of Walkersville, 601 F.Supp.2d 648 (D. Md. 2009)
Salisbury, MD, April 2006
Someone fired gunshots into a local mosque.
Source:
http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=4828885
Massachusetts
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Worcester, April 2017
Police arrested a man accused of an attempted break-in at the Worcester Islamic Center. Surveillance video shows a man trying to use a parking sign to break through the door and kicking the glass windows multiple times until he gave up.
Sources:
http://www.telegram.com/news/20170412/arrest-made-in-break-in-attempt-at-worcester-islamic-center
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2017/04/13/man-seen-on-video-trying-to-damage-mosque-captured
Boston, December 2016
The Islamic Center of Boston, as well as mosques throughout the country, received a letter signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Source:
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/20161202/waylands-islamic-center-gets-hate-letter
West Springfield, November 2016
Vandals threw bottles of alcohol on the grounds of the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts.
Source:
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/11/west_springfield_islamic_society_plans_interfaith_gathering_in_response_to_hateful_gestures.html
Dudley, June 2016
The town denied the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester’s special permit application for a cemetery. In March 2017, the town approved the permit.
Sources:
http://www.wbur.org/morningedition/2016/06/10/dudley-denies-muslim-cemetery-permit
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2016/12/23/town-of-dudley-reaches-settlement-over-proposed-muslim-cemetery
http://www.telegram.com/news/20170302/dudley-board-approves-muslim-cemetery
http://www.telegram.com/news/20170916/land-court-denies-dudley-request-for-sanctions
Boston, November 2015
Officials charged a man for making threats against local mosques and Muslims. He apparently posted a graphic on Facebook encouraging people to burn their local mosque.
Sources:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/07/26/feds-charge-wilmington-man-with-threatening-burn-boston-mosque/PzYHTD4boSSM9RjMUwPaXP/story.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-massachusetts-islam-idUSKCN10626Q
https://patch.com/massachusetts/wilmington/wilmington-man-who-threatened-burn-down-mosque-gets-5-years
Amherst, MA, April 2010
Proponents of a proposed mosque withdrew from the local planning board their application to convert a former Christian school into a mosque after encountering strident opposition from residents.
Sources:
http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/06/04/mosque-drops-plans-move-amherst?SES...
http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/04/09/mosque-move-stirs-concerns?SESS01f3...
http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/06/04/hampshire-mosque-pulls-plans-house-...
Boston, MA, July 2009
The Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center is in Roxbury in the heart of Boston. It is the largest Islamic center in New England, and the second largest on the East Coast. It has a very diverse membership, representing more than 25 national groups and ethnicities. After an arduous seven-year building process and five years of litigation after it became a lightning rod for controversy generated by groups that did not want the mosque to be built, it opened its doors in June 2009.
Source:
http://pluralism.org/news/continuing_stories_view/77
Michigan
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Dearborn, February 2022
A man set a fire at the Huda Islamic Association.
Sources:
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/02/12/dearborn-police-mosque-fire-fatal-shooting/6765208001/
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan/articles/2022-02-19/fbi-no-political-ideological-motivations-in-mosque-fire
Rochester Hills, October 2021
The front doors of the Ahmadiyya Community Center were smashed and vandalized during Friday evening prayer services as children played inside.
Source:
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2021/10/09/rochester-hills-mosque-vandalized-friday-night/6075226001/
Detroit, July 2021
During Eid holiday celebrations, congregants at the Al Ihsaan Islamic Center faced harassment and intimidation as they attended early morning prayers.
Source:
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2021/07/21/worshipers-say-they-were-harassed-outside-warren-mosque/
Troy, September 2019
The city of Troy, Michigan has been sued by the Department of Justice under allegations that it violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act in denying zoning approval for a mosque to be built.
Source:
http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2019/09/justice-department-sues-michigan-city.html
Benton Township, April 2019
A false bomb threat was called into the Islamic Association of Southwest Michigan. The caller has since been found and charged.
Source:
https://www.abc57.com/news/suspect-in-bomb-threat-at-benton-township-mosque-charged
Canton, November 2017
A mosque and two churches were notified after a Dearborn Heights resident found a suspicious bag in his backyard. The bag contained an unloaded handgun and a map with addresses circled and the word “target” written on it.
Sources:
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/places-of-worship-in-michigan-heighten-security-after-target-list-found-in-dearborn-heights
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/grand-rapids-church-closes-after-list-of-targets-found-in-dearborn-heights-yard
Ann Arbor, September 2017
The FBI said a man arrested for making death threats to CNN employees in January 2018 had previously called an Ann Arbor mosque and made derogatory comments towards the mosque and Muslims.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/22/us/michigan-man-arrested-cnn-threats/index.html
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2018/01/23/novi-man-arrested-threatened-cnn-employees/1056658001/
Detroit, September 2017
Police said that a man with a hammer climbed through a mosque window and damaged the inside.
Source:
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2017/09/12/detroit-mosque-vandal/
Sterling Heights, March 2017
The American Islamic Community Center charged that the town planning commission unfairly denied its proposal to build a mosque because of bias harbored by one member in particular of the commission. The center and the DOJ filed lawsuits against the town, which settled in February 2017. In March, the American Freedom Law Center filed suit to invalidate the settlement.
Sources:
http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2017/03/citys-settlement-of-mosque-litigation.html
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2016/08/10/sterling-heights-mosque/88527210/
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2016/08/15/sterling-heights-mosque-lawsuit/88766532/
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2016/12/15/sterling-heights-mosque/95475542/
Ypsilanti, March 2017
A fire destroyed the Islamic Center of Ypsilanti. Police have identified an arson suspect.
Sources:
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2017/03/police_say_16-year-old_is_arso.html
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/03/12/ypsilanti-mosque-fire/99091284/
Dearborn, February 2017
A mosque received a voicemail saying “Mohammed was a pedophile and all Muslims are agents of satan.”
Source:
http://www.wxyz.com/news/dearborn-police-update-open-carry-situation-threat-to-mosque
Kentwood, January 2017
Police charged a woman with one count of false threat of terrorism after she allegedly stood outside a mosque claiming she was armed and demanding money from people. She also sent a threatening email to the mosque earlier in the week.
Sources:
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/01/police_investig...
http://woodtv.com/2017/01/03/family-of-kentwood-islamic-center-threat-su...
Multiple locations, November 2016
At least two mosques in Michigan, as well as mosques throughout the country, received a letter signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Sources:
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/ann-arbor-mosque-receives-hate-letter
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2016/12/anti-muslim_letter_sent_to_ann.html
Dearborn, October 2016
After an announcement that an old church would be turned into an Islamic institute, a woman posted multiple threats online, including “[t]hat Arab church will be burnt down, hopefully there ain’t kids in there.” She later apologized online.
Source:
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/new-dearborn-mosque-recieves-online-threats
Dearborn, June 2016
Someone on Twitter posted the address for the Islamic Center of America and wrote “We must execute the Muslim scum. Full on eradication.”
Sources:
http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/158720718-story
http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/archives/2016/06/16/twitter-users-respond-to-online-threat-against-dearborn-muslims-with-love-and-sass
Dearborn, January 2011
A man was arrested with a vehicle full of explosives he intended to use to blow up a mosque.
Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/30/roger-stockham-arrested-explosi...
East Lansing, September 2010
A burned Quran was left outside of a mosque.
Source:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-09-14-mosque14_ST_N.htm
Detroit, May 2010
Vandals damaged a local mosque twice in one week.
Source:
www.ww4report.com/node/8625
Northville, MI, November 2009
After numerous neighbors protested, the zoning board of appeals denied a request for a variance that would have enabled a local mosque to build a parking lot in front of the building.
Sources:
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/11/northville_township_...
http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/NEWS02/109240001/Northville-Twp.-d...
Grand Rapids, MI, July 2008
The city planning commission unanimously rejected a proposal to convert a former school building into a Muslim worship center after neighbors vigorously objected.
Sources:
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/07/heritage_hill_group_objects_to.html
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-43/12212253404903...
Minnesota
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
St. Paul, May 2023
Camera footage captured a person setting fire to the Tawhid Islamic Center of Minnesota. The building sustained serious damage but was not occupied at the time.
Source:
https://www.startribune.com/minnesotans-on-edge-after-suspected-arson-burns-st-paul-mosque/600275675/
East Grand Forks, June 2022
A woman was arrested for setting a curtain on fire inside the Islamic Center in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
Source:
https://iqna.ir/en/news/3479216/woman-arrested-after-arson-in-minnesota-mosque
St. Paul, February 2022
Police arrested two suspects after surveillance footage showed two men stealing a safe from the Masjid Al-Ihsan Islamic Center. A police spokesperson said the safe contained $4,000 in cash, wallets, and a checkbook.
Sources:
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twincities.com%2F2022%2F02%2F28%2Fafter-two-males-steal-safe-from-st-paul-mosque-islamic-group-calls-on-fbi-to-investigate%2F
https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/minnesota/islamic-group-calls-on-fbi-to-investigate-theft-from-st-paul-mosque
https://sahanjournal.com/policing-justice/masjid-al-ilhsan-mosque-burglary-st-paul-minnesota/
Minneapolis, November 2021
A vandal was recorded on video smashing security cameras outside the Dar Al Qalam Cultural Center in Minneapolis, destroying three cameras and knocking several others offline. The attack comes weeks after someone broke into a car belonging to the mosque’s Executive Director while it was parked outside the center.
Source:
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/11/22/mosque-on-edge-after-weekend-va...
Mankato, August 2021
The car of a member of the Mankato Islamic Center was vandalized and spray-painted with offensive words.
Source:
https://iqna.ir/en/news/3475413/cair-mn-urges-investigation-after-car-vandalized-outside-mosque
Moorhead, April 2021
The Moorhead Fargo Islamic Community Center was vandalized by someone who spray-painted a swastika and “Death to Islam.”
Source:
https://www.startribune.com/man-who-vandalized-moorhead-mosque-sentenced-to-community-service/600083649/
Minneapolis, November 2019
A vandal struck a mosque in northeast Minneapolis in the middle of the night, shattering a glass door and shouting toward at least one startled onlooker inside. The state's leading Islamic civil rights group wants the incident investigated as a possible hate crime.
Source:
http://www.startribune.com/attack-on-minneapolis-mosque-comes-as-reports-of-hate-crimes-drop/564818952/?refresh=true
Rochester, June 2018
Vandals left strips of bacon at the front door and in the parking lot of the Rochester Mosque.
Source:
https://www.kimt.com/content/news/Bacon-found-at-Rochester-Mosque-authorities-investigating-as-possible-hate-crime-486371161.html
Bloomington, October 2017
According to police, someone broke into the Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center, which was bombed earlier this year. Surveillance video revealed two masked intruders. They broke windows to get inside and took a safe and collection jar money.
Sources:
http://www.startribune.com/bloomington-mosque-bombed-in-august-now-vandalized/451898273/
https://townhall.com/news/us/2017/10/24/police-minnesota-mosque-burglary-not-a-hate-crime-n2399640
Bloomington, August 2017
Authorities said that someone set off an improvised explosive device at the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center. No one was hurt.
Sources:
http://ksn.com/2017/08/06/minnesota-mosque-explosion-deeper-and-scarier-than-threats/
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-mosque-bombing-20170805-story.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/07/us/minnesota-mosque-explosion.html
http://www.startribune.com/the-latest-minnesota-mosque-blast-was-in-imam-s-office/438722573/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-minnesota-mosque-bombing-20180313-story.html
Mankato, August 2016
Surveillance video showed a man defacing the mosque’s sign and placing a “for lease” banner over the sign.
Source:
http://kstp.com/news/video-mankato-islamic-mosque-vandalism/4251105/
St. Paul, July 2016
A teenage girl entering the Da’wah mosque found a note left there that said “Muhammad was a rapist” and “F*** Islam.”
Sources:
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/07/26/st-paul-mosque-hate-speech/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/st-paul-mosque-note_us_57978bcfe4b0d3568f849561
Minneapolis, February 2016
A burglar broke interior windows and doors with a hammer at the Umatul Islam Center. It was the second incident in the past month at the mosque.
Sources:
http://www.startribune.com/gov-dayton-visits-vandalized-mosque-in-south-...
http://www.kare11.com/news/local/arrest-made-in-mosque-vandalism-other-b...
Minneapolis, September 2015
A 57-year-old man wrote a letter to the Tawfiq Islamic Center threatening to blow it up in order to “scare and intimidate” members of the mosque.
Source:
http://kfgo.com/news/articles/2016/dec/01/minneapolis-man-pleads-guilty-to-mailing-threat-to-mosque/
Marshall, April 2012
A sign outside of a mosque was defaced with spray paint.
Source:
http://kstp.com/news/stories/s2608131.shtml?cat=1
St. Anthony, June 2012
The St. Anthony City Council rejected plans for a local Islamic center after a public meeting. Some of those who spoke against the center expressed their anti-Muslim bias with statements such as, 'Islam is evil.'
Source:
http://www.startribune.com/local/158785005.html
Mississippi
3 or 4 anti-mosque incidents
Horn Lake, May 2021
Officials in Horn Lake, Mississippi recently denied a site plan for a proposed mosque. One of the city’s aldermen, John Jones, even expressed anti-Muslim views which may have informed his denial of the mosque. Jones was quoted saying, “I don’t care what they say. Their religion says they can lie or do anything to the Jews or gentiles because we’re not Muslims.”
Sources:
http://www.desototimes.com/news/islamic-group-calls-on-horn-lake-to-reverse-decision-on-mosque-denial/article_b267dece-aea6-11eb-bb18-3759040bbdfd.html
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/local/horn-lake-officials-discuss-proposed-mosque-lawsuit-looms/V2N3AWLGHJBODFT3Z5NMKUR4SU/
Hattiesburg, April 2017
A vandal knocked the local mosque’s sign out of its frame.
Source:
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2017/04/18/hattiesburg-islamic-center-sign-vandalized/100603398/
Madison, August 2009
More than 300 residents signed a petition opposing the construction of a proposed mosque, with many citing fears about radical Islam.
Source:
www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/comments/mosque_still_debated_in...
Muslims Win Approval for Water, Sewer for Madison Co. Mosque, March 23, 2010, The Clarion-Ledger, at A5.
Missouri
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Cape Girardeau, April 28, 2020
Police have arrested a Missouri man in connection with a fire that heavily damaged a mosque. The suspect, who has a history of mosque vandalism, is accused of setting a fire at the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau on April 24, the day most Muslims celebrate as the first day of Ramadan. Over a dozen people were evacuated but no one was injured. Mosque leaders said the building has been declared a “total loss” and would require about $1 million in repairs.
Source:
https://religionnews.com/2020/04/28/suspect-charged-in-fire-that-destroyed-missouri-mosque/
Joplin, August 2012
A mosque’s wooden sign was ruined in an arsonist’s fire. Four years later, the roof of the same mosque was set on fire. A month after that, the entire mosque was burned to the ground. The FBI has joined the investigation.
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/06/us/missouri-mosque-burned/index.html
http://www.joplinglobe.com/joplin_metro/x212155883/FBI-investigating-tor...
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/FBI-helping-investigate-fire-at-Jopli...
Springfield, January 2011
Vandals used graffiti to put hateful messages on the walls of an Islamic Center. In April, the same people left two burnt copies of the Quran with a note that said “Death to Islam” in front of the Islamic Center.
Sources:
http://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article52075645.html
http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/crime/2015/12/29/man-pleads-guilty...
St. Louis, September 2010
Vandals spray-painted the phrase "worship satan" on the side of a mosque twice over the course of two weeks.
Sources:
http://www.kmov.com/news/local/South-St-Louis-mosque-vandalized-10363348...
http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Vandals-strike-again-at-south-St-Louis-mo...
Cape Girardeau, May 2009
Several windows were destroyed at a mosque in an act of vandalism that was later determined to be motivated by discrimination.
Source:
http://www.semissourian.com/story/1569159.html
Montana
1 or 2 anti-mosque incidents
Bozeman, January 2017
A masked man armed with a gun protested at the Islamic Center of Bozeman.
Sources:
http://www.kbzk.com/story/34220939/armed-man-protests-islamic-center-in-...
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/crime/armed-masked-man-detaine...
Nebraska
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Omaha, March 2016
Someone sent the Islamic Center of Omaha a threatening email, saying it is "time to fight back" against Muslims and "see you in hell."
Source:
http://www.omaha.com/islamic-center-of-omaha-threatened-in-wake-of-bruss...
Lexington, February 2016
The City of Lexington denied a mosque’s request for a conditional use zoning permit, saying it would negatively impact the development of the area, and then filed suit against the mosque for operating without a valid permit.
Sources:
http://lexch.com/news/council-denies-mosque-expansion/article_98043ba2-a...
http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/lexington-islamic-center-has-aclu-s-b...
Omaha, January 2016
Two masked men wrapped bacon around a door handle at the Omaha Islamic Center and threw rocks at the glass doors.
Source:
http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/FBI-Asked-to-Probe-Omaha-Mosque-Vanda...
Omaha, November 2015
A surveillance camera showed someone attempting to break a glass door at the Islamic Center. Later in the month, someone spray-painted an Eiffel Tower peace symbol on the mosque after the attacks in Paris.
Sources:
http://www.ketv.com/news/vandals-target-omaha-islamic-center-with-paris-...
http://journalstar.com/news/local/911/islamic-center-reports-nd-attempt-...
Omaha, August 2015
At least two people broke a glass door at the mosque by throwing an estimated 40-pound boulder at it.
Sources:
http://www.omaha.com/news/crime/rock-breaks-glass-door-at-islamic-center...
http://journalstar.com/news/local/911/boulder-tossed-through-door-glass-...
Omaha, October 2008
A rock was thrown through the glass front door of a mosque, shattering it.
Source:
http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/17777058/detail.html
Nevada
1 or 2 anti-mosque incidents
Las Vegas, December 2015
A man put raw bacon strips on the door handles at Masjid-e-Tawheed that worshippers found as they arrived for Sunday morning prayer.
Source:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/muslim-civil-rights-group-ca...
New Hampshire
1 or 2 anti-mosque incidents
Manchester, ongoing
Residents have been trying to build a mosque here for nearly two decades, facing multiple lawsuits and opposition from the community. One neighbor filed suit claiming Manchester was failing to “protect the public health, safety, and welfare” of its citizens by allowing the mosque. Another resident and blogger suggested the mosque would be used as a hideout for “murderous thugs.”
Source:
http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-mosque-new-hampshire/
Nashua, September 2016
Someone threw a rock through the window at the Islamic Society for Greater Nashua while people were worshipping inside on the anniversary of 9/11.
Sources:
http://www.nh1.com/news/police-investigating-vandalism-at-nashua-mosque/
http://patch.com/new-hampshire/nashua/nashua-mosque-vandalism-1k-reward-offered
http://www.wmur.com/news/rocks-thrown-through-window-of-nashua-mosque/4162993
New Jersey
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Edison County, November 2022
A truck displaying anti-Muslim billboards repeatedly visited four mosques in the Edison County area, circling the premises with the intention of intimidating Muslims worshipping inside. Security footage from at least two of the mosques shows the driver exiting the truck and taking a photo of the truck in front of the Islamic centers.
Source:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/truck-anti-muslim-messages-new-jersey_n_63922b62e4b019c69620378b
Teaneck, October 9, 2020
A proposed Islamic community center has filed a discrimination lawsuit in federal court against Teaneck and its zoning board, claiming the township blocked its application by imposing oppressive requirements and draining the developer's pockets. After the Al Ummah Community Center bought the property for $4.3 million in 2018, the zoning board denied their application on Oct. 1, 2020. In the suit, the group claims the township and its board was against the proposal from the start, discriminating against its use as an Islamic center and mosque.
Source:
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/teaneck/2020/10/09/islamic-center-sues-teaneck-discrimination-denying-application/5939624002/
Paterson, October 2017
Multiple mosques near the home of a terror suspect in the New York bike path attack received threatening phone calls as well as hateful messages on Facebook.
Sources:
http://www.nj.com/passaic-county/index.ssf/2017/11/paterson_mosque_hit_with_threats_after_nyc_terror_attack.html
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/paterson-press/2017/11/02/police-paterson-mosque-gets-threats-after-nyc-terror-attack/825671001/
Vineland, case ongoing
The Garden State Islamic Center filed a lawsuit in February 2017 claiming the city “unreasonably…rescinded the pre-construction permits” after a dispute about the sewage flow at the mosque. The lawsuit also claims a larger Christian church had their septic system approved.
Source:
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/nj/South-Jersey-town-discriminating-against-Islamic-group-suit-says.html
Basking Ridge, July 2017
The Bernards Township Planning Board denied a plan for a mosque on a residential lot after 3.5 years of public hearings. The DOJ investigated the denial and the mosque sued the township. In May 2017, the cases settled, allowing the mosque to go forward and requiring the city to pay millions. In July, the Thomas More Law Center filed suit against the township claiming that the settlement agreement unconstitutionally restricts speech.
Sources:
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/30/530766018/n-j-town-must-pay-islamic-group-3-25-million-to-settle-discrimination-lawsuit
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/nyregion/muslims-sue-over-denial-of-bid-to-build-mosque-in-new-jersey-suburb.html
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/justice-department-probing-towns-denial-build-mosque-37703632
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/warren/articles/bernards-township-planning-board-denies-mosque-pl-2
http://www.newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/vote-on-liberty-corner-mosque-expected-tonight/article_046f4d1b-b82d-52fc-88be-78cc47d61d15.html
http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2017/08/new-suit-challenges-settlement.html
Bayonne, May 2017
Community members in 2016 organized protests against a proposed mosque and community center at the site of an old warehouse. Some opponents contacted the Department of Homeland Security to make sure attendees are “law-abiding citizens.” The opposition continued into 2017, forcing the Zoning Board to delay a vote on the mosque after a five-hour public hearing. In May 2017, Bayonne Muslims filed suit against the zoning board. In January 2018, the case settled.
Sources:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/talalansari/bayonne-settlement?utm_term=.diB3qg53Dv#.vfzYpnvYEJ
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2017/05/hold_federal_lawsuit_filed_against_bayonne_after_z.html
http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/27117765/article-Muslim-Community-Center-opposition-still-strong---Opponents-contact-Homeland-Security-?instance=bayonne_top_story
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2016/01/bayonne_zoning_board_postpones_vote_on_muslim_comm.html
http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2016/01/protests_planned_ahead_of_vote.html
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2016/01/bayonne_residents_against_planned_islamic_center_t.html
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2017/01/bayonne_zoning_board_again_postpones_vote_on_plann.html
Toms River, April 2017
A mosque looking to expand and build a school has encountered opposition from neighbors and has repeatedly had their zoning hearing postponed.
Sources:
http://www.app.com/story/news/local/communitychange/2017/04/27/toms-river-islamic-school-hearing-postponed-again/101008540/
http://www.app.com/story/news/local/communitychange/2017/02/20/neighbors-oppose-toms-river-islamic-school-plan/96681416/
Jersey City, March 2017
A local mosque received a letter postmarked from England similar to those received in Georgia and some other states. The author wrote that “You and your filthy kind will be beheaded,” signed the letter “Muslim Slayer,” and included an illustration.
Source:
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2017/03/03/new-jersey-mosques-face-threats/98692844/
New Brunswick, February 2017
A “Muslim-free America” poster was found taped to the wall of a Rutgers University building that also serves as a prayer space for students.
Source:
http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2017/02/white_supremacist_groups_poster_found_on_rutgers_c.html
Piscataway, February 2017
A mosque reported that it received “multiple threats by email and voice mail.”
Source:
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2017/03/03/new-jersey-mosques-face-threats/98692844/
Bayonne, October 2016
Police arrested a 20-year-old man for vandalism of the Bayonne Muslim Center. The graffiti included phrases such as “F*** Muslims” and “F*** Arabs.”
Sources:
http://abc7ny.com/news/suspect-charged-with-acts-of-vandalism-aimed-at-bayonne-mosque/1555974/
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2016/10/bayonne_man_is_charged_with_anti-muslim_graffiti_a.html
Jersey City, December 2015
An Islamic Center received a letter that said in part, "We do not want you here. We do not like you. You are evil," and previously received a hateful voice mail.
Source:
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/12/09/jersey-city-mosque-threat/
Bridgewater, April 2011
An Islamic group sued the town after it changed zoning rules to prevent a mosque from opening in a residential neighborhood.
Source:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870418760457628950378460467...
Piscataway, NJ, August 2009
The Muslim Center of Middlesex County proposed to expand its existing facility, which has sparked objections from some residents.
Sources:
http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2009/08/piscataway_mosque_looks_t...
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20091020/NEWS/910200349/Muslim-ce...
http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2009/10/piscataway_zoning_meeting_...
Rockaway Borough, NJ, March 2008
Residents filed suit to overturn the local zoning board’s approval of a plan to convert an area building into a mosque.
Source:
http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2009/10/piscataway_zoning_meeting_...
Wayne, July 2006
After stonewalling approval of a plan to build an Islamic center and mosque for three years, the township of Wayne attempted to exercise eminent domain over the proposed site property, prompting mosque officials to sue.
Sources:
www.strausnews.com/articles/2006/07/27/west_milford_messenger/news/8.txt
Complaint, Albanian Associated Fund v. Township of Wayne, Case No. 06-cv-3217 (D. N.J. Oct. 1, 2007)
New Mexico
3 or 4 anti-mosque incidents
Albuquerque, June 2023
Vandals broke in to the Islamic Center of New Mexico twice in one week and caused tens of thousands of dollars in damages. The perpetrators destroyed furniture, poured beer onto copies of the Quran, and left piles of trash.
Source:
https://www.krqe.com/news/portales-islamic-center-hit-by-vandals-multiple-times-in-a-week/; https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-new-mexico-mosque-vandalised-beer-thrown-unto-quran
Albuquerque, December 2021
A woman was caught on surveillance video setting fire to the Islamic Center of New Mexico.
Source:
https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/arrest-warrant-out-for-possible-mosque-arson-suspect/
Clovis, December 2017
Someone spray painted the Golden Mosque with “Happy Birthday Jesus Christ. From a real Christain [sic].”
Source:
http://krqe.com/2017/12/18/new-mexico-mosque-vandalized-by-a-real-christain/
Albuquerque, October 2014
Someone threw a Molotov cocktail at a local mosque, causing smoke damage to the building’s exterior.
Source:
http://krqe.com/2014/10/24/molotov-cocktail-thrown-at-islamic-center-of-nm/
New York
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Ronkonkoma, July 2022
Security cameras captured two men setting fire to a crescent moon sign put up in April in celebration of Ramadan and displayed outside the Fatima Al-Zahra mosque.
Source:
https://abc7ny.com/mosque-fire-fatima-al-zahra-ronkonkoma/12020406/
Long Island, August 2021
The Faizan-e-Aisha Masjid mosque was vandalized multiple times, including an incident in which someone dumped dirt around the entrance.
Source:
https://longisland.news12.com/police-probing-incident-at-hicksville-mosque-as-possible-bias-attack
New York City, May 2021
“Death 2 Palestine” was spray-painted on the front of the Tayba Islamic Center on Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
Source:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/14/us/mosque-vandalized-eid-al-fitr-brooklyn-israel-palestinian/index.html
Long Island, May 2021
The Islamic Center of Suffolk County was vandalized by two people burning a sacred flag and spray-painting pro-Trump graffitti on its base.
Source:
https://abc7ny.com/islamic-center-of-suffolk-county-shah-e-najaf-mosque-vandalized-hate-crime/10667203/
The Bronx, May 2018
The glass front door of the Masjid Ebun Abass shattered after someone apparently shot a BB gun at it.
Source:
http://bronx.news12.com/story/38302853/bronx-mosque-shot-up-by-bb-gun-for-2nd-time
Queens, March 2018
Someone spray-painted “911-mosque” and “Terr” at the construction site of an Islamic community center.
Sources:
http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/03/11/nypd-hate-crime-task-force-is-investigating-a-possible-bias-incident
http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/vandal-scrawls-graffiti-at-mosque-site/article_bd1eaf88-a7d6-5006-9244-a1175c21b3fe.html
Brooklyn, November 2017
Police arrested a man suspected of damaging two mosques with a hammer, causing an estimated $3,000-plus in damage at one, including broken windows and surveillance cameras, and $300 at the other.
Sources:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/alleged-vandal-held-12g-bond-hammer-2-mosques-article-1.3654661
http://brooklyn.news12.com/story/36828054/surveillance-video-shows-man-accused-of-vandalizing-mosque
http://brooklynreporter.com/story/elected-officials-religious-leaders-unite-opposition-vandalism-sunset-park-mosque/
Staten Island, June 2017
The Muslim-American Society Staten Island Center reported receiving a threatening call from someone who said they never should have built the mosque.
Source:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/taser-toting-man-vows-kill-neighbor-brooklyn-mosque-article-1.3272567
Manhattan, June 2017
Two mosques received a letter expressing anti-Islamic sentiments.
Source:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/taser-toting-man-vows-kill-neighbor-brooklyn-mosque-article-1.3272567
Long Island, July 2017
Someone left a large painting of Jesus on the cross at the Hillside Islamic Center.
Source:
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Jesus-Painting-Left-on-Islamic-Center-Investigated-as-Hate-Crime-433432283.html
Brooklyn, June 2017
A man armed with a Taser threatened and cursed at someone leaving the mosque, according to police sources.
Source:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/taser-toting-man-vows-kill-neighbor-brooklyn-mosque-article-1.3272567
Manhattan, June 2017
The Masjid Manhattan received a letter from London threatening that a massacre will happen in August, according to police sources.
Sources:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan-mosque-receives-massacre-threat-london-article-1.3268548
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Letter-Mailed-Mosque-Threatens-Massacre-Manhattan-430186603.html
The Bronx, June 2017
A pellet gun shooter has targeted a mosque three times, according to a mosque leader. The most recent time, a pellet cracked a window and another hit a worshiper standing outside. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incidents.
Source:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/bronx-mosque-targeted-times-pellet-gun-shooter-article-1.3241704
Brooklyn, April 2017
A mosque caught fire just as prayer services were ending, according to news reports. The cause is unknown.
Source:
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/04/22/brooklyn-mosque-fire/
Queens, April 2017
Surveillance video captured someone spray painting the letter “X” on multiple doors of the Bosnian Islamic Cultural Center.
Source:
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/04/19/queens-islamic-center-spray-paint/
Brooklyn, March 2017
An imam received a letter at his mosque saying the writer fantasized about “killing nonwhites…I’m afraid you’re on my list” and signed the letter “Muslim Slayer.”
Sources:
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/NYPD-Threatening-Note-Mosque-Brooklyn-New-York-415237833.html
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/03/02/brooklyn-mosque-threatening-letter/
Manhattan, November 2016
Someone wrote “Trump!” on the door of a Muslim prayer room at New York University.
Source:
http://gothamist.com/2016/11/10/trump_graffiti_nyu_prayer_room.php
Yonkers, September 2016
A neighborhood group moved to get a local building designated as a landmark after a Muslim group purchased the land for a mosque. The landmark status will complicate the process to use the building as a mosque. The Muslim group is now suing the city.
Sources:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/islamic-community-group-sues-city-alleging-house-made-landmark-stop-n653256
http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/muslims-see-anti-mosque-bias-in-landmarking-decision/article_fc7820ab-293b-523c-b8d5-f13cd8e38c0a.html
http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/yonkers/2016/05/28/yonkers-signs-mosque-bill/85052024/
Queens, August 2016
Someone murdered an imam and his friend, found a block from a mosque in Ozone Park where they had prayed a few minutes earlier. The killer allegedly shot the two men, who were dressed in Muslim apparel, from behind.
Sources:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/drive-by-shooter-queens-gravely-injures-men-article-1.2749901
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/16/nyregion/oscar-morel-queens-imam-shootings.html
Staten Island, June 2016
Police have arrested a man who allegedly entered the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center toward the end of evening prayers with a pipe and threatened to hurt the imam.
Sources:
http://www.silive.com/northshore/index.ssf/2016/06/man_arrested_for_threatening_i.html
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/06/24/staten-island-anti-muslim-threat/
The Bronx, June 2016
A group of men allegedly attacked a man on his way to pray at the mosque. They punched him to the ground and he was hospitalized.
Sources:
http://bronx.news12.com/news/muslim-man-attacked-outside-parkchester-mosque-1.11936762
http://abc7ny.com/news/muslim-man-beaten-on-the-way-to-bronx-mosque-in-apparent-hate-crime/1391619/
Queens, June 2016
Police suspect multiple men of beating up a 59-year-old man as he was leaving the mosque after evening prayers. The suspects punched the man, knocked him off his bicycle, and put him in the hospital with lacerations, bruising, and swelling on his face.
Sources:
http://nypost.com/2016/06/06/video-shows-two-guys-who-beat-muslim-man-in-queens/
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Muslim-Man-Beaten-Outside-Queens-Mosque-NYPD-381919041.html
Queens, April 2016
A man entered the Jamaica Muslim Center during afternoon prayers claiming to be the Prophet Muhammad and then started punching and kicking those around him, putting two people in the hospital.
Sources:
http://www.mintpressnews.com/new-york-man-supervised-release-assaulting-...
http://qns.com/story/2016/04/26/jamaica-man-who-allegedly-went-on-a-viol...
Queens, February 2016
Community members rallied against a proposed mosque in Flushing, saying it would require too many zoning variances that would have a negative impact on the neighborhood.
Sources:
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2016/6/mosqueavella_2016_02_05_q.html
http://queenstribune.com/avella-civics-fight-flushing-mosque-variance/
Islamberg, 2015
A jury convicted a Tennessee man of plotting to gather supporters as a militia and set fire to a mosque, school, and cafeteria in Islamberg in 2015. Officials arrested him in April of that year and the jury convicted him in February 2017.
Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-islamberg-idUSKBN15V2SC
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2017/feb/16/jury-deadlocked-charges-against-robert-doggar/413111/
Manhattan, August 2015
Police said that a vandal destroyed a plaque with a hammer at The Islamic Cultural Center of New York. The mosque has experienced other incidents of vandalism in the past.
Source:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/nyc-islamic-center-vandalized-new-anti-islamophobia-announced-article-1.2744190
Queens, January 2012
A Molotov cocktail was thrown at an Islamic center. The man responsible said that he intended 'to inflict as much damage as possible and take out as many Muslims and Arabs as possible.'
Sources:
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/01/01/authorities-investigate-possible-...
http://www.qchron.com/editions/eastern/eastern-queens-alleged-mosque-bom...
Amherst, May 2011
A sign was placed on a lawn neighboring a mosque that read, 'Bomb Making: Next Driveway.'
Source:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/mosque-controversy-bomb-making-sign-riles-neigh...
Brooklyn, May 2011
Local residents have vowed to stop construction of a mosque in the Sheepshead Bay area, with one neighbor even threatening to bomb it. After Osama Bin Laden’s death, graffiti was found at the construction site reading, “He’s Dead.”
Sources:
www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/37/all_mosquegiveaway_2010_9_10_bk.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/01/08/2010-01-08_some_...
http://www.sheepsheadbites.com/2010/01/sheepshead-bay-mosque-controversy/
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/27/bn_tt_baypeoplemosquerally_20...
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/01/08/2010-01-08_some_...
http://www.sheepsheadbites.com/2010/07/tea-party-tries-again-another-ope...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/13342408
Carlton, August 2010
A group of teenagers hurled obscenities at Muslim worshippers, shot a gun outside of a mosque, and sideswiped a congregant.
Sources:
www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100914/NEWS01/100914001/1002/NEWS...
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article179322.ece
Hudson, September 2010
Three men spray-painted an anti-Muslim epithet on the back wall of a mosque.
Sources:
http://online.wsj.com/article/APebf11f7773e04470bfe7007e7b474aa1.html
http://www.fox23news.com/news/local/story/UPDATE-3-arrested-accused-of-v...
Huntington, October 2010
A jar of nails was thrown at a mosque.
Source:
http://www.longislandpress.com/2010/10/21/cops-suspect-threw-jar-of-nail...
Manhattan, May 2010
A proposed Islamic community center in Lower Manhattan drew strong opposition both locally and nationally; though two local governmental bodies have denied efforts to block construction of the proposed center, the controversy continues, and one group has filed a lawsuit to stop the center's construction.
Sources:
www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/nyregion/12sept11.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/11/AR201009...
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/04/nyregion/04mosque.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/nyregion/26muslim.html
New Hyde Park, NY, October 2010
A request for a variance to build a parking lot for a local mosque drew a packed crowd and opposition at a zoning board hearing.
Sources:
http://www.antonnews.com/illustratednews/news/10802-residents-pack-zonin...
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/09/23/controversy-over-l-i-islamic-cent...
New York, August 2010
An intoxicated man entered a mosque during evening prayers, called those present “terrorists,” and urinated on prayer rugs.
Source:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38863919/ns/us_news-life/'
North Carolina
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Charlotte, June 2021
The Islamic Center of Charlotte received a threatening email stating that “every mosque from here to Bahrain will turn to dust,” and that “you have no Islamic rights in this country, you’re [sic] children and women are ours.”
Source:
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article251594828.html
The Islamic Center of Charlotte receives "threatening" email (spectrumlocalnews.com)
Charlotte, October 2018
A bomb threat was called in to the Muhammad Mosque 36 in Charlotte, NC.
Source:
https://www.wsoctv.com/news/north-carolina/muslim-advocacy-group-seeks-investigation-into-charlotte-mosque-threat/863616008
Raleigh, October 2017
A racial slur for Muslims and the word “Trump” were painted on the sign of a Muslim candidate for city council at the construction site of a mosque.
Source:
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2017/10/06/campaign-sign-vandalized-zainab-baloch-raleigh
Raeford, June 2016
A man was charged with leaving bacon at the mosque doors and later threatened mosque members and showed a gun. He also allegedly followed one of the mosque members home.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/us/decorated-officer-charged-with-threatening-muslims-in-north-carolina.html?_r=0
http://www.wral.com/authorities-investigating-incident-at-hoke-county-mosque/15767033/
http://abc11.com/news/hoke-county-sheriff-investigating-incident-at-mosque/1379550/
Durham, November 2009
A local mosque was vandalized three times in one year and worshippers were told to "go to hell."
Source:
www.newsobserver.com/2009/11/04/174919/durham-mosque-is-vandalized.html
Ohio
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Dayton, March 2019
Using rocks or bricks, a vandal broke several windows at the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton while worshippers were inside praying.
Source:
https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/suspect-wanted-for-vandalizing-islamic-society-of-dayton/1829372097
Columbus, September 2017
A group demonstrated outside a local mosque with signs like “Homos and Muslims go to hell.”
Source:
http://radio.wosu.org/post/hate-group-demonstrates-outside-columbus-mosque-we-love-donald-trump#stream/0
West Chester, June 2017
The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati received a package containing white powder and a threatening note. The powder turned out not to be hazardous.
Sources:
http://www.fox19.com/story/35759909/white-powder-found-in-suspicious-package-at-west-chest-islamic-center
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/butler-county/west-chester-community/hazmat-crew-investigates-threat-at-islamic-center
West Chester Township, March 2017
Someone reportedly left a bomb threat on a mosque’s answering machine.
Source:
http://www.journal-news.com/news/police-investigate-bomb-threat-islamic-center-butler-county/qonucTSWwF2isoZqWBeW7O/
Columbus, February 2017
Surveillance video caught a man vandalizing a mosque with anti-Muslim graffiti such as “Allah is a fraud.”
Sources:
http://statenews.org/post/group-says-mosque-vandalism-should-be-considered-hate-crime
http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170302/far-west-side-man-indicted-for-hate-crime-in-desecration-of-mosque
Cleveland, November 2016
The Islamic Center of Cleveland, and mosques throughout the country, received a letter signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Source:
http://www.ibtimes.com/mosque-threats-2016-map-timeline-anti-muslim-letters-sent-islamic-houses-worship-2453244
West Chester Township, June 2016
Police say a man impersonating a police officer barged into a mosque during prayers and shouted “Jesus is Lord.”
Sources:
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/butler-county/west-chester/pd-man-disrupted-prayer-impersonated-police-officer-at-west-chester-mosque
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/06/16/muslim-communities-edge-after-orlando-mass-shooting/85982060/
Toledo, OH, September 2012
A gasoline fire on the main floor of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo was ruled to be arson.
Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/03/toledo-mosque-arson_n_1934488.html?
Columbus, December 2010
A Muslim woman was threatened and sprayed with pepper spray outside of an Islamic Center.
Source:
http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2010/12/21/story-columbus...
Dayton, September 2008
A ten-year-old girl was sprayed in the face with a chemical while attending Ramadan services.
Source:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/09/27/...
Sugarcreek Township, January 2008
Opponents of a proposed mosque declared, “We just feel that Christianity is right and that Islam is wrong. Therefore, we take a stand to see (a mosque) not in our community.” The zoning board of appeals rejected plans for the mosque in January 2008, but approved a scaled back version in September 2008, despite vocal opposition.
Sources:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/01/27/...
http://www.tcnewsnet.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=260&ArticleI...
http://www.daytoncircus.org/?q=node/1336
Cincinnati, December 2005
Two pipe bombs were detonated outside of a local mosque.
Source:
www.wlwt.com/news/22020552/detail.html
Oklahoma
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Oklahoma City, March 2018
A man was arrested for threatening to blow up the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City.
Sources:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/04/04/oklahoma-city-man-charged-with-threatening-to-blow-up-mosque.html
http://kfor.com/2018/04/04/man-arrested-after-allegedly-threatening-to-blow-up-oklahoma-city-mosque/
Lawton, December 2016
People in a pick-up truck allegedly dropped a dead pig at the Islamic Center of Lawton.
Sources:
http://kfor.com/2016/12/09/police-investigating-possible-hate-crime-after-dead-pig-was-dumped-at-oklahoma-mosque/
http://www.kswo.com//story/34010579/lawton-islamic-center-falls-victim-to-potential-hate-crime#.WEnyD-XwG60.twitter
Oklahoma City, August 2016
A man allegedly sent white powder to a mosque in June along with threatening article clippings.
Source:
http://www.koco.com/news/man-accused-of-making-death-threat-to-metro-mosque/41284230
Edmond, April 2015
Someone reportedly wrapped the mosque’s door handles with raw bacon and left some in the parking lot.
Sources:
http://newsok.com/article/5409690
http://kfor.com/2015/04/13/authorities-investigating-after-oklahoma-mosque-is-vandalized/
http://www.kswo.com/story/28789419/bacon-found-wrapped-around-edmond-mosques-door-handles
Oklahoma City, April 2013
Two men were caught on camera defacing the mosque building. The mosque director said he found a racial slur and “pentagrams, bizarre faces and graphic images” on the building in black spray paint.
Sources:
http://www.koco.com/news/oklahomanews/okc/oklahoma-city-mosque-vandalized-for-2nd-time/19920646
http://newsok.com/article/3804160
Oklahoma City August 2012
Vandals fired paintballs at the doors of a mosque then fled the scene.
Source:
http://newsok.com/article/3700402
Oregon
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Portland, April – May 2022
A man vandalized several houses of worship over a five-day period, including an arson attempt at the Portland Muslim Community Center.
Source:
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/synagogue-mosque-vandalism-suspect-not-guilty-plea/283-cff94c1a-0833-49fe-b416-02f0db9836bb
Portland, September 2017
Someone spray-painted “ISIS” on the Abu-Bakar Islamic Center.
Source:
http://www.kgw.com/news/ne-portland-mosque-tagged-with-hate-graffiti/474327161
Eugene, May 2017
Police said a man threatened to kill attendees at the Eugene Islamic Center, confronting them shortly after prayers ended.
Sources:
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2017/05/man_threatens_to_kill_worshipp.html
http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/35564624-75/eugene-police-looking-for-man-who-allegedly-threatened-members-of-the-islamic-center-in-west-eugene.html.csp
Portland, November 2015
Protesters demonstrated outside the Portland Rizwan Mosque after the Paris attacks. One was wearing a shirt that said “PROUD TO BE AN INFIDEL Islam is a LIE”.
Source:
http://katu.com/news/local/protesters-target-portland-mosque-following-attacks-in-paris-11-17-2015
Corvallis, November 2010
An arsonist set fire to an Islamic center.A federal grand jury indicted the arsonist on federal hate crime and arson charges.
Sources:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/28/national/main7096810.shtml
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/28/oregon-islamic-center-arson-fir...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/11/29/us-usa-security-somali-idUSTRE...
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/August/11-crt-1088.html
Pennsylvania
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Philadelphia, September 2019
Officials at a mosque in the West Oak section of Philadelphia have released surveillance video of someone throwing two rocks through the mosque’s front door. One of the rocks shattered part of the front door.
Source:
https://6abc.com/suspected-vandal-throws-rocks-at-west-oak-lane-mosque/5512472/
Upper Darby, November 2017
A suspect caught on surveillance cameras posted anti-Muslim threats outside a mosque.
Source:
http://6abc.com/anti-muslim-threats-posted-near-upper-darby-mosque/2717359/
South Whitehall Township, June 2017
Police charged a man for stealing more than $1,000 from the Al-Ahad Islamic Center. Police also charged him for a similar incident from the previous year.
Sources:
http://www.wfmz.com/news/lehigh-valley/brooklyn-man-charged-in-second-theft-from-islamic-center/545114143
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh-county/index.ssf/2017/06/burglar_steals_money_from_sout.html
Sunbury, December 2016
White nationalist fliers were plastered on a local mosque, containing phrases such as “#RefugeesNotWelcome” and “LOST: White people, last seen hating themselves.”
Sources:
http://www.dailyitem.com/news/city-mosque-targeted-by-fliers/article_fb7...
http://wnep.com/2016/12/22/racist-fliers-found-by-sunbury-mosque/
Harrisburg, December 2016
The local Islamic Center, and mosques throughout the country, received a letter signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Source:
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/12/hate_will_not_be_tolerated_mus.html
Bensalem Township, July 2016
The township rejected the Bensalem Masjid's application for a zoning variance and the Department of Justice sued the township on behalf of the mosque. The Masjid and the town were involved in litigation since 2014, when the town denied the mosque permit. In September 2017, the cases settled.
Sources:
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160722_Justice_Department__Bensalem_discriminates_against_Muslims.html
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2016/07/22/justice-department-sues-pennsylvania-town-for-rejecting-mosque-plan/
https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/878146/download
http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/local/feds-bensalem-mosque-can-be-built-pending-approvals-after-lawsuit/article_0141ee3f-6278-5749-9435-367f88a35b2f.html
Philadelphia, December 2015
Vandals deposited a severed pig’s head outside the door of the Al Aqsa Islamic Society, prompting a police and FBI investigation.
Sources:
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151208_Severed_pig_s_head_left_at_N_...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/12/08/pig-head-tossed-phi...
Rhode Island
3 or 4 anti-mosque incidents
Providence, December 2016
A local mosque, and mosques throughout the country, received a letter signed from “Americans for a Better Way,” saying that Trump will “cleanse America” and do to Muslims “what Hitler did to the Jews.”
Sources:
http://thevillagessuntimes.com/2016/12/10/rhode-island-mosque-receives-same-hate-letter-sent-elsewhere/
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/11/30/more-security-sought-mass-mosques-after-mosque-receives-threat/TfOpdUoKhJxorrM5VAWS2K/story.html
South Kingston, July 2016
Someone smashed the windows of Masjid Al-Hoda and scrawled graffiti on the wall, calling Muhammad the “prophet of butchers.”
Sources:
http://www.630wpro.com/2016/07/15/kingston-mosque-vandalized-following-france-terror-attack/
http://wpri.com/2016/07/15/mosque-near-uri-vandalized-in-wake-of-france-attack/
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2016/07/15/mosque-vandalism/87128214/
North Smithfield August 2012
Surveillance video captured someone driving into a mosque’s parking lot and smashing the moque’s sign with a hammer.
Source:
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/crime/mosque-vandalized-in-north-smithfield
South Carolina
3 or 4 anti-mosque incidents
Charleston, July 2016
Police are investigating a letter to an individual that said “CHARLESTON – THE SEQUEL – COMING SOON TO A MOSQUE NEAR YOU ONLESS ROFF IS RELEASED.” It could have been referring to Dylann Roof, who allegedly shot nine people at a church last year in Charleston. The letter also had 1488 on it, which could indicate white supremacism, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
Sources:
http://www.live5news.com/story/32689930/charleston-police-investigate-suspicious-letter-with-apparent-threat-to-mosque
Florence, October 2010
Vandals defaced the walkway of a mosque, using bacon strips to spell out “PIG CHUMP” in an apparent effort to offend Muslim worshippers who do not eat pork. The mosque was also vandalized earlier this year when newly installed windows were smashed.
Sources:
http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=524982
http://www2.scnow.com/news/2010/oct/12/police-florence-islamic-center-va...
http://www.newsok.com/cops-sc-islamic-center-defaced-with-bacon-slices/a...
Taylors, August 2009
Vandals scratched "death to Muslims" into a sidewalk leading into the mosque.
Source:
www.foxcarolina.com/news/20562663/detail.html
Tennessee
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Murfreesboro, July 2017
A mosque spokesman said that someone wrapped bacon strips around the door of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro and spray-painted graffiti on the walls and basketball court.
Sources:
http://www.dnj.com/story/news/2017/07/10/islamic-center-murfreesboro-vandalized-again/464315001/
http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/10/us/murfreesboro-mosque-vandalized-trnd/index.html
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/man-pleads-guilty-tennessee-bacon-vandalism_us_5af459d4e4b09bb419e5a694
https://www.murfreesboropost.com/news/crime/man-pleads-guilty-in-mosque-vandalism/article_0cd753d0-57c0-11e8-85b0-7b6b9d4be3dd.html
Knoxville, September 2010
A burned Quran was left outside of a mosque.
Source:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-09-14-mosque14_ST_N.htm
Antioch, June 2010
Opponents of a proposed mosque organized a petition in an effort to dissuade a property owner from selling to an Islamic group.
Sources:
www.wsmv.com/news/24072307/detail.html
http://www.wkrn.com/global/story.asp?s=12730008
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100629/NEWS01/6290337/Proposed-Antio...
http://www.wsmv.com/news/24840082/detail.html
Brentwood, May 2010
A local Islamic group withdrew a plan to build a mosque after public outcry.
Source:
Brentwood mosque not alone in defeat, The Tennessean, May 23, 2010
Murfreesboro, May 2010
Opponents of a planned mosque have vandalized the mosque site, including setting fire to construction vehicles.
Sources:
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/murfreesboro-tennessee-mosque-plan-draws-critic...
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100621/NEWS06/6210329
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100831/NEWS01/8310344/Vigil-in-suppo...
http://blogs.tennessean.com/opinion/2010/09/05/stand-up-for-religious-fr...
Nashville, February 2010
Vandals spray-painted "Muslims go home" on a mosque and left a vitriolic, hate-filled letter railing against the Muslim faith.
Source:
http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/community-reaches-out-lo...
Columbia, February 2008
Neo-Nazis burned down a mosque.
Source:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330504,00.html
Texas
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Wichita Falls, September 2021
A man pleaded guilty to stealing donation boxes from the Wichita Falls Islamic Center while wearing a t-shirt reading "UNDERCOVER POLICE.”
Source:
https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/2021/09/20/wichita-falls-man-gets-prison-time-stealing-elderly-woman-mosque/8399731002/
Austin, September 2021
On Sept. 11, the Islamic Center of Greater Austin was vandalized. On its front lawn, a bloody pig-head mask was left attached to a sign stating, "MUSLIMS: You are as unclean to God as a pig is to you. Have your idolatry washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ! 1 Corinthians 6:9-11"
Source:
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/crime/local-leaders-call-for-hate-crime-investigation-after-bloody-mask-staked-outside-local-muslim-center-on-911/269-9c808874-3f2c-4338-a015-55457351f474
Brownsville, November 2019
Prosecutors announced the federal grand jury indictment of an 18-year-old man who made various threats on Twitter, including a threat to set a mosque on fire.
Source:
https://cbs12.com/news/nation-world/man-indicted-for-threatening-to-set-mosque-on-fire-shoot-at-synagogue
Houston, June 2019
An anonymous user of 4chan wrote on the forum that he planned to attack the Baitus Samee Mosque. An attack was not carried out, but leaders are calling for increased security at Texan mosques.
Source:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-mosque-threatened-for-second-time-in-13999233.php
Harlingen, June 2019
An 18-year-old was arrested after he made terroristic threats against mosques and synagogues online. Upon searching his home, local police department found bomb-making materials.
Source:
https://www.valleymorningstar.com/2019/06/11/harlingen-man-charged-threatening-mosque-synagogue/
Houston, March 2019
A man was arrested for threatening a shooting at the Ahmadiyya Community Center near Houston, Texas.
Source:
https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/man-accused-of-threatening-to-shoot-up-houston-area-mosque-after-he-was-told-to-leave/285-3742c8b7-e05d-4d9e-aa58-20f70a3ae672
Houston, January 2019
A drive-by shooter opened fire on a mosque near Houston, striking a building and truck parked on the property. The incident occurred in the early morning outside the Muslim American Society-Katy Center Mosque in Katy, Texas, Harris County Sheriff's deputies said. Mosque employees found a bullet hole in the windshield of a truck belonging to a building contractor. Mosque employees found another bullet hole in the front building wall but it didn't penetrate inside, officials said.
Source:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/drive-shooting-hit-outside-mosque-near-houston-sparks-investigation-n959036
Austin, September 2018
Attempted break-in and tires slashed at North Austin Muslim Community Center.
Source:
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/community-concerned-after-break-in-tire-slashing-at-austin-muslim-center/269-590343165
Cloverleaf, July 2018
Arsonist set fire to a Cloverfield, Texas mosque.
Source:
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Deputies-investigate-arson-at-Cloverleaf-mosque-13088225.php
Houston, May 2018
A mosque was “covered with derogatory words and urine on the carpet.” Money was also stolen from donation boxes.
Source:
http://abc13.com/hpd-investigating-vandalism-at-mosque-as-a-hate-crime/3497386/
Dale, September 2017
Someone vandalized the signs and brick pillars at the cemetery for the Islamic Center of Greater Austin with profanity and the number “666.”
Source:
http://kxan.com/2017/09/20/islamic-cemetery-in-dale-vandalized/
Richardson, June 2017
As part of a day of “March Against Sharia” rallies sponsored by ACT for America, hundreds of protesters, some of whom were armed, gathered outside the Islamic Association of North Texas.
Source:
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2017/06/10/anti-shariah-protesters-gather-front-north-texas-islamic-center
Richardson, March 2017
The Bureau on American Islamic Relations, a group of armed protestors, demonstrated outside the Islamic Association of North Texas.
Source:
http://cw33.com/2017/03/18/mosque-protest-and-counter-protest-in-richardson-upstaged-by-third-group/
Victoria, January 2017
An unknown arsonist burned down the Islamic Center of Victoria in a “massive fire.” The mosque had previously experienced vandalism and a break-in.
Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4167064/Texas-mosque-destroyed-early-morning-blaze-cause-unknown.html
https://www.texastribune.org/2017/01/30/two-texas-mosques-burned-ground-january/
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2017/feb/08/arson-destroyed-mosque-investigators-determine/
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2017/mar/10/victoria-man-25-accused-of-burning-mosque/
Lake Travis, January 2017
A mosque construction site, set to open in the spring, was burned to the ground. Officials are looking into the cause. Someone also vandalized the site a few months prior.
Sources:
http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/227794109-story
http://www.statesman.com/news/crime--law/fire-marshal-fbi-task-force-sti...
Watauga, July 2016
Police are looking into a voicemail that threatened to murder members of the mosque and that suggested there should be another Christian Crusade.
Source:
http://www.fox4news.com/news/186301974-story
College Station, July 2016
Police found at least five bullets that hit the local Islamic Center building and damaged the glass near the entrance.
Source:
http://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Police-FBI-investigating-gunfire-damage-at-local-Islamic-Community-Center-385869721.html
Houston, July 2016
Three men shot and stabbed a man walking toward a mosque, according to local reports. The man was sent to the hospital for intensive care and the attackers escaped, according to witnesses.
Sources:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/texas-mosque-attack-160703143400200.htmlFort Worth, June 2016
Police say a woman threatened multiple members of a Fort Worth mosque, telling them someone was coming to kill them.
Sources:
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2016/06/muslim-leaders-condemn-orlando-attack-and-redouble-security-measures-in-dallas-area.html/
Houston, May 2016
Commenters on the "Heart of Texas" Facebook page said someone needs to "blow this place up," referring to the Islamic Da'wah Center.
Source:
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Islamic-group-se...
Irving, February 2016
Gun-wielding protesters demonstrated outside the mosque during an event meant to welcome refugees to the U.S., calling themselves the Bureau of American Islamic Relations. Members of the group also gathered outside the Islamic Center of Irving in November 2015.
Sources:
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2016/02/gun-wielding-protesters-want-...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/irving-texas-armed-mosque-protest_56...
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2015/11/armed-protesters-set-up-outsi...
Richardson, December 2015
Protesters, about half of them armed with rifles, stood outside the Islamic Association of North Texas. They call themselves the Bureau of American-Islamic Relations.
Sources:
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Texas-Mosque-Draws-Protest-Counter-Prot...
http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/local/dallas-county/2015/12/13/n-texas-ag...
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2015/12/a-weekend-of-angst-over-islam...
San Antonio, November 2015
Police arrested a 38-year-old man for trespassing at the Islamic Center of San Antonio, refusing to take off his shoes while walking on prayer rugs, yelling obscenities, and "berating" members for their religion.
Sources:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/San-ANtonio-man-arrested-...
http://www.kens5.com/story/news/2015/11/19/man-arrested-after-refusing-l...
Corpus Christi, November 2015
Someone sent a threatening letter from Los Angeles to the Islamic Society of South Texas telling members to "convert to Christianity before it's too late."
Sources: http://www.caller.com/news/local/mosque-receives-threatening-letter-2501...
http://www.kristv.com/story/30571272/potential-threat-letter-sent-to-loc...
Pflugerville, November 2015
A member of the Islamic Center of Pflugerville found a ripped-up Quran covered in feces at the mosque.
Sources:
http://www.kvue.com/story/news/crime/2015/11/16/police-vandals-tore-apar...
http://keyetv.com/news/local/pflugerville-mosque-vandalized-with-feces-t...
Houston, May 2011
Arsonists broke through a mosque’s window, poured gasoline on the carpet, and started a fire. Sources: http://www.khou.com/news/121966654.html
San Antonio, TX, September 2010
A mosque was vandalized with spraypaint and worshippers’ cars were targeted with graffiti and anti-Muslim messages.
Source:
http://www.kens5.com/news/Local-Mosque-Vandalized-102283944.html
Arlington, July 2010
Vandals burned playground equipment at a mosque and spray-painted a picture of Uncle Sam assaulting Allah in the parking lot.
Source:
www.publicbroadcasting.net/kera/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1685053
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/07/28/2368772/arlington-mosque-reports...
Houston, October 2009
A vandal scrawled religious slurs on the outside walls of a local mosque.
Sources:
www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6658660.html
http://www.click2houston.com/news/21242744/detail.html
Katy, December 2006
Opponents of a plan to construct a mosque held pig races every Friday evening on bordering property in hopes of offending Muslims on their holy day.
Sources: www.katytimes.com/articles/2006/12/04/news/01news.txt
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/new/7190476.html
http://www.katytimes.com/articles/2006/12/04/news/01news.txt
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-february-27-2007/loathe-thy-neighbor
Lubbock, October 2006
Vandals attacked a local mosque three times in one month.
Source:
http://lubbockonline.com/stories/102606/loc_102606030.shtml
Virginia
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Glen Allen, April 2022
A vandal caused around $2,000 worth of damage to the West End Islamic Center, leaving behind trash, graffiti, shattered glass, and water bottles slashed and dumped on prayer rugs. It was the second occasion of vandalism at the center in six months.
Source:
https://www.nbc12.com/2022/04/18/it-was-hurtful-prayer-space-inside-west-end-islamic-center-vandalized/
Falls Church, May 2021
An attacker attempted to stab a security guard at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center and pointed a knife at others before fleeing the scene.
Source:
https://wjla.com/news/local/va-man-arrested-after-alleged-attempt-to-security-guard
Petersburg, May 2019
After a local police and FBI investigation, a woman has been charged for threatening to bomb Petersburg Muslim Center.
Source:
https://www.progress-index.com/news/20190521/dinwiddie-woman-charged-with-mosque-bomb-threat
Henry County, February 2018
Someone threw a large rock through the door of the Martinsville-Henry County Islamic Center, breaking the glass.
Source:
http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/news/henry-county-islamic-center-vandalized/article_0cb5a189-9301-53e4-9a9f-c1397693df95.html
Farmville, September 2017
Officials said the words “F*** God & Allah” were found on the wall of the Prince Edward County Islamic Center.
Sources:
http://wjla.com/news/local/officials-fk-god-allah-written-on-va-mosque-cair-wants-hate-crime-investigation
http://www.farmvilleherald.com/2017/09/vandalism-targets-mosque/
Nokesville, July 2017
The All Dulles Area Muslim Society met with community opposition to its proposed mosque and request to connect to the sewer line – an environmentally friendly alternative to a septic system. Members of the society said the county had previously approved a sewer connection for the church across the street. In June 2017, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved the necessary permit after a nine-hour public hearing. In July, residents filed suit against the Board of County Supervisors for approving the mosque’s special use permit.
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/in-battle-over-proposed-prince-william-mosque-some-see-islamophobia/2017/01/01/2a3fe7b6-cedc-11e6-a87f-b917067331bb_story.html?utm_term=.5dfa46f90a33
http://wtop.com/prince-william-county/2017/01/muslim-group-seeks-win-win-for-debated-pr-william-co-mosque/
http://www.insidenova.com/news/prince_william/local/nokesville/mosque-permit-approved-after--hour-public-hearing-in-prince/article_0a856822-5bec-11e7-bfc8-1ff7e681e332.html
http://www.insidenova.com/news/politics/prince_william/rural-crescent-residents-sue-over-mosque-permit-in-prince-william/article_310d6756-76cc-11e7-932d-2bdb168d88a1.html
Sterling, June 2017
Police say a 17-year-old girl was assaulted and then killed after leaving the All Dulles Area Muslim Society mosque, which holds late night prayers during the last ten days of Ramadan. Police have charged a suspect with murder for the girl’s death.
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/fairfax-loudoun-police-searching-for-missing-17-year-old-reported-to-have-been-assaulted/2017/06/18/02e379ac-5466-11e7-a204-ad706461fa4f_story.html?utm_term=.c41db65b8012
http://abcnews.go.com/US/teen-found-dead-suspected-kidnapping-virginia-mosque/story?id=48127793
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-charged-murder-muslim-teen-who-disappeared-way-mosque-n773986
Blacksburg, February 2017
A man allegedly broke in through an unlocked basement window and stole about $1,000, the mosque’s donation collection from the previous day. Authorities later investigated whether similar break-ins in Alabama are connected.
Source:
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/news/gofundme-page-raises-nearly-for-mosque-in-wake-of-robbery/article_f2d9a6f6-fed1-11e6-b479-874983706324.html
Falls Church, March 2017
A mosque received a letter with the phrase “Kill all Muslims” written on it.
Source:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/violent-threats-made-in-letters-to-two-muslim-facilities-in-maryland/2017/03/01/0515bac0-fe9c-11e6-8f41-ea6ed597e4ca_story.html?utm_term=.4163b7dbfd6b
Culpeper County, April 2016
In April, the county board of supervisors denied a pump and haul permit for a proposed mosque, to the cheers of many citizens. In December, the DOJ sued the county.
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/virginia-county-puts-brakes-on-plans-for-new-mosque-was-it-discrimination/2016/09/18/15101ace-79d1-11e6-bd86-b7bbd53d2b5d_story.html
http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/culpeper-denies-permit-for-islamic-center-mosque-site/article_4fb9c50c-fb83-11e5-8602-ebf230329755.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/justice-dept-sues-virginia-county-over-denial-of-permit-to-build-mosque/2016/12/12/1bd614b2-c0d0-11e6-b527-949c5893595e_story.html?utm_term=.d6d4aa0ca6ab
http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/culpeper/justice-department-investigating-culpeper-s-denial-of-permit-for-islamic/article_33c535ce-43ae-50fb-ab58-52deb4433c5d.html
Fredericksburg, December 2015
Opponents of a proposed mosque circulated a flyer calling for "No Jihad in Fredericksburg" and warning that there is "no way of knowing how many ISIS agents will be hiding" among refugees. The prior month, opponents interrupted a public presentation about the proposal with "bigoted rants," shouting at the speaker and saying all Muslims are terrorists. A sheriff's deputy broke up the meeting.
Sources:
http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/virginia/2015/12/04/flyer-calls-no...
http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/virginia/2015/11/18/hate-speech-cl...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/in-fredericksburg...
Manassas, December 2015,
Someone left a threatening voice mail for the Manassas mosque shortly after the San Bernardino shooting, saying he wanted to kill Muslims in retaliation. "You all will be sorry. You all will be killed," he said according to the imam of the mosque.
Source:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/manassas-mosque-gets-...
Falls Church, November 2015
Someone left a fake bomb at the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque and damaged the gate.
Source:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-charged-with-leaving-fake-bomb-at-virgin...
Manassas, August 2014
Someone vandalized the Manassas mosque by spray painting an expletive twice across the windows and shattering a glass door.
Source:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/manassas-mosque-vandalized-in-possi...
Harrisonburg, VA, September 2012
A mosque was spray-painted with obscene graffiti.
Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-mosques-vandalized-area-mus...
http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-fbi-investigating-mosque-graffiti-in-va-...
Chantilly, May 2012
An eighteen-year-old man was arrested for vandalism after he broke several windows and caused about $60,000 worth of damage to a mosque that was under construction.
Source:
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/05/11/police-make-arrest-in-chantill...
Washington
11 or more anti-mosque incidents
Burien, March 2022
The Muslim American Youth Foundation's center was damaged in a hit-and-run after a silver vehicle drove into the community center’s prayer space.
Source:
https://www.king5.com/article/news/muslim-organizations-prayer-center-in-burien-damaged-during-hit-and-run/281-a4d6897e-bc4f-44aa-a59e-93acd81e4465
Olympia, December 2021
Someone threw an explosive device into the Islamic Center of Olympia, creating a blast that neighbors said could be heard up to two miles away.
Sources:
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/olympia/explosion-islamic-center-of-olympia/281-83b701cc-7d88-494e-a4d7-a19a3c737885 https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/explosive-set-off-outside-islamic-center-olympia/EGMWJ6JJ6FCENGKYHOCLV2BZEY/
Tacoma, October 2021
A 38-year-old was arrested in connection with a fire set at the Islamic Center of Tacoma. The fire started just as a prayer service was about to begin.
Source:
https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/islamic-center-of-tacoma-arson-arrest/
Mountlake Terrace, October 2021
Two people walked into the Masjid Umar Al-Farooq Mosque and stole and vandalized religious items, including prayer rugs and Qurans, which they threw into a garbage dumpster.
Source:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/mountlake-terrace-police-arrest-man-search-for-woman-in-mosque-burglary/
Bellevue, March 2018
A “suspicious” fire damaged the Islamic Center of the Eastside, about a year after a previous arson fire. No one was hurt.
Sources:
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/bellevue-mosque-catches-fire-nearly-year-after-arson/719649005
https://patch.com/washington/bellevue/bellevue-mosque-arson-suspect-made-death-threat-police
Kent, November 2017
Men wearing “Make America Great Again” hats have repeatedly protested outside the Islamic Center of Federal Way during Friday prayers. Police responded to a report this month of a protester allegedly physically assaulting an activist in support of the mosque.
Source:
https://www.kentreporter.com/news/protests-at-islamic-center-lead-to-alleged-assault/
Monroe, September 2017
Someone spray-painted profanities on the side of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Center.
Sources:
http://komonews.com/news/local/monroe-mosque-vandalized-with-offensive-graffiti
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/monroe-mosque-vandalized-maybe-the-person-who-did-this-just-doesnt-understand-islam/
Bellevue, January 2017
Prosecutors charged a man with a hate crime for allegedly walking up to worshippers at the Islamic Center of Eastside and shouting that he would assassinate them and that “there is no place in America for Muslims.”
Sources:
http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/man-charged-with-hate-crime-after-allegedly-making-threats-at-bellevue-mosque/483979413
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/man-charged-with-hate-crime-for-allegedly-threatening-to-kill-members-of-bellevue-mosque/
Bellevue, January 2017
Officials charged a man with arson for allegedly setting the Islamic Center of Eastside on fire. The fire destroyed about half the building.
Source:
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/homeless-man-suspected-of-torching-bellevue-mosque-is-charged/
Mukilteo, December 2016
Someone posted flyers saying "Ban Islam from America" at the site of a proposed mosque.
Source:
http://www.heraldnet.com/news/site-of-planned-mosque-in-mukilteo-vandali...
Redmond, December 2016
The metal sign at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound was torn off its post and someone damaged the concrete.
Source:
http://komonews.com/news/local/redmond-mosque-vandalized-again-for-second-time-in-a-month
Pullman, November 2016
Three men in a car are suspected of harassing the groundskeeper at the Pullman Islamic Center. They drove by and yelled racial slurs and flipped him off while he was cleaning a plaque.
Source:
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/news/article_4a8dae3a-b6a0-11e6-af41-e74890fd9554.html
Redmond, November 2016
Someone smashed a granite sign for the Muslim Association of Puget Sound, cracking and creating a hole in the granite.
Source:
http://komonews.com/news/local/redmond-mosque-vandalized
Seattle, June 2016
Police arrested a man after a standoff because he allegedly made threats on Facebook against Islam and the Idris Mosque. The man claimed to have recently purchased an assault rifle and extra ammunition. It may be the same person who made the threat in Redmond.
Sources:
http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/heavy-police-response-in-north-seattle-area/343240774
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/police-respond-to-armed-barricaded-man-in-north-seattle/
http://komonews.com/news/local/police-respond-to-report-of-barricaded-man-in-n-seattle
Redmond, June 2016
Police received at least one anonymous call reporting a threat to the Muslim Association of Puget Sound.
Sources:
http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/following-threat-redmond-mosque-and-police-heighten-security-2634882/
http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/threat-made-to-redmond-mosque/340752814
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/redmond-mosque-receives-threats-after-orlando-shooting/
Mukilteo, May 2016
Someone damaged the sign of a proposed mosque and placed "Ban Islam from America" flyers at the site containing anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Sources:
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20160510/NEWS01/160519971/Site-of-plann...
http://www.kiro7.com/news/north-sound-news/anti-islamic-flyers-posted-at...
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/mosque-site-in-mukilteo-hit-by-...
Seattle, February 2016
A man with a baseball bat approached two men in a mosque parking lot and asked where they were from. He smashed a rearview mirror of a parked car as he ran away.
Sources:
http://q13fox.com/2016/02/04/man-with-gun-arrested-outside-seattle-mosque/
http://www.seattleglobalist.com/2016/02/04/man-hate-crime-seattle-mosque...
http://komonews.com/news/local/police-gun-waving-suspect-confronts-men-o...
West Richland, September 2014
A man protested outside a mosque with a sign that read “death to Islam” and “Islam is evil.”
Source:
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article32198460.html
Bellevue, June 2010
Vandals smeared excrement on an Islamic center's van, which featured advertisements promoting Islam.
Source:
www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/news/97187474.html
West Virginia
1 or 2 anti-mosque incidents
Princeton, July 2017
A member of a mosque said he opened a letter sent to the mosque that said, “A bomb will be at your Mosque in the month of August.” Police referred the investigation to the FBI.
Source:
http://www.ptonline.net/news/police_blotter/mercer-sheriff-s-department-police-blotter---june/article_2b6eaf0f-4d0f-515c-be70-6ce59f0b01af.html
Princeton, December 2013
Vandals sprayed in bright red paint "pedophile," the number "666," and other anti-Muslim slurs on the building for the Islamic Society of the Appalachian Region.
Sources:
http://www.bdtonline.com/news/local_news/vandals-defile-islamic-society-...
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/10/west-virginia-debatesaha...
Wisconsin
5-10 anti-mosque incidents
Village of Somers, April 2017
A rezoning proposal for an Islamic Center has been met with opposition, including one resident who said, “[t]he bottom line is we don’t want the Muslim community here.”
Sources:
http://www.wtmj.com/news/local-news/sommers-community-divided-on-proposed-islamic-center
http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/facing-public-unease-somers-projects-tabled/article_de9fd9eb-50aa-527e-8a24-810b627df1d6.html
Milwaukee, March 2017
The Islamic prayer room at Marquette University has been vandalized multiple times since the 2016 election.
Source:
https://marquettewire.org/3969315/news/increased-muslim-hate-speech/
Milwaukee, January 2016
The Christian Civil Liberties Union opposed a planned mosque on the ground that “there’s going to be . . . bloodshed one of these years coming up.”
Source:
http://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/planned-mosque-faces-opposition
Green Bay, August 2010
Opponents of a proposed mosque, including city council members, made a number of anti-Muslim remarks.
Sources:
www.sheboyganpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20108180478
http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/green-bay-council-to...
http://www.wfrv.com/news/local/Mosque-gets-approval-in-Green-Bay-1009590...
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100818/GPG0101/8180478/Gre...
Wilson, May 2010
A new mosque was vandalized shortly after it opened following a long anti-Mosque campaign conducted by local residents.
Sources:
www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100505-sheboygan-muslims,0,4795698.story
http://www.wtaq.com/blogs/post/jbader/2010/jun/11/sheboygan-mosque-alrea...
http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100308-mosque-controversy,0,3267768.story
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2011842,00.html?xid=rss-m...
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/94019264.html
http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100517-mosque-decision,0,2329452.story
http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100518-mosque-folo,0,4253936.story
Wyoming
1 or 2 anti-mosque incidents
Gillette, November 2015
A resident organized a Facebook page against Islam and confronted those attending Friday prayer at the town’s first mosque. Members of the Facebook group have threatened to throw bacon at the mosque.
Source:
http://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/gillettes-first-mosque-draws-anti-ref...