Washington, D.C.: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organisation in the United States, has called on local law enforcement agencies nationwide to strengthen security around mosques and Islamic institutions following the deadly terror attack on a San Diego mosque that left five people dead, including the two attackers.
According to reports, the attackers died from self-inflicted wounds after carrying out the assault at the Islamic Centre of San Diego. Investigators from the San Diego Police Department reportedly recovered a petrol canister bearing the logo of the SS, the Nazi paramilitary organisation, anti-Islam graffiti, and weapons engraved with hate speech. One of the attackers also allegedly left behind a suicide note referencing “racial pride.”
The Washington-based organisation urged Muslim community leaders to make use of its publication titled “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” to help improve the security of religious facilities. CAIR noted that the guidance is applicable to all houses of worship.
In a statement, Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of CAIR, described the shooting as “the deadly consequence of years of anti-Muslim hate, demonisation and dangerous rhetoric targeting American Muslims and other marginalised communities.”
Awad said mosques and Islamic institutions across the country are facing heightened threats and called on local law enforcement agencies to increase patrols and coordinate with community leaders to ensure the safety of worshippers.
He also urged elected officials and public figures to stop promoting rhetoric that fuels hatred and division, warning that such narratives can inspire violent acts.
CAIR stated that it had earlier demanded that politicians end what it described as a “campaign of hate” targeting American Muslims following the San Diego attack.
The organisation’s San Diego chapter, CAIR San Diego, has representatives on the ground monitoring developments related to the incident.
CAIR also noted that its Texas chapter joined several Muslim organisations in the Dallas–Fort Worth area in condemning hateful rhetoric and fearmongering by some Texas politicians.
According to CAIR’s latest civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination continue to rise across the United States, reflecting what the organisation says is an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia affecting Muslim communities nationwide.
CAIR encouraged individuals facing hate crimes or discrimination to report such incidents to both law enforcement authorities and the organisation itself.
