US mosques face surge in attacks amid rising Islamophobia

Islamophobia continues to be a pervasive form of hate in the United States, with mosques and Islamic centers increasingly becoming targets of political slander and violence. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) documented a stark 183% surge in incidents against Islamic places of worship during May-July this year, compared to just six incidents in the same period last year.

These 17 incidents represent a significant portion, nearly 51%, of the 33 total incidents targeting Islamic institutions throughout 2025. The documented events range from terrorist attacks and threats of violence to arson, intimidation, and opposition to the establishment of Islamic places of worship based on religious grounds.

Corey Saylor, CAIR's Director of Research and Advocacy, emphasized that "Islamophobia remains an acceptable form of hate in the U.S." He highlighted the responsibility of community leaders to ensure places of worship remain safe havens for prayer, reflection, and community gathering, stressing the importance of vigilance.

Recent events underscore the urgency. In May, three lives were lost at the San Diego Islamic Center when an extremist attacked the facility. CAIR's New Jersey office also reported receiving threats and hate mail targeting four mosques, with law enforcement confirming similar incidents at six other locations. CAIR is providing resources, including a "Best Practices Guide for Mosque and Community Security," to help mitigate these threats.

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Islamophobia remains an acceptable form of hate in the U.S. American places of worship are too often seen as targets of cheap political slander and violence.