Police Step Up Patrols After String of Vandalism
Three mosques in Austin, Texas, suffered targeted vandalism late Thursday night, prompting urgent calls for increased security and a swift police response. The Austin Police Department (APD) confirmed it is actively investigating the incidents and has initiated directed patrols at all mosque locations as community leaders warn of a troubling surge in Islamophobia and hate incidents. According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Austin), the vandalism, which included spray-painted symbols such as the Star of David, at the Nueces Mosque, Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association (IABA), and the Austin Diyanet Center, is part of a broader pattern of anti-Muslim sentiment that has intensified since October 2023.
Mosques Defaced in Coordinated Overnight Attacks
Security footage captured a suspect with a covered face spray-painting the main entrance, office door, and fencing at the Nueces Mosque near the University of Texas campus around 11:30 p.m. on May 22. Similar acts of vandalism were discovered at the IABA and the Austin Diyanet Center, where spray-painted symbols marred billboards and entrance doors. “It’s so sad and terrifying,” said Shaimaa Zayan, CAIR-Austin Operations Manager. “It’s a shame to target worship places that way”.
The targeted mosques are central to a community of more than 60,000 practicing Muslims in Central Texas and serve as spiritual, cultural, and social hubs for students and families. “Hundreds of Muslims already saw these, you know, symbols on our facilities, so it was alarming for them,” Zayan said. The Nueces Mosque alone has reported four hate-related incidents since late October 2024, underscoring a persistent climate of hostility.
Community Response
The incidents have sent shockwaves through Austin’s Muslim community, prompting fears for safety and concerns about the broader implications of such attacks. “These two incidents, which reportedly took place on the same night, were apparently targeted attacks meant to instill fear and division,” stated Shaimaa Zayan in a press release. “One of the mosques affected, Nueces Mosque, serves as a vital spiritual and cultural center for UT Austin university students. The impact of such hateful acts on young minds cannot be overstated”.
In response, CAIR-Austin is urging law enforcement to prioritize mosque security and is organizing an interfaith community event to help clean up the vandalism. “Please come and join us for community dinners, join us for our interfaith events, and get to talk to our community members and get to know us,” Zayan said, extending an invitation to the broader community as a gesture of solidarity and resilience.
Investigations and Security Measures
The Austin Police Department issued a statement confirming its awareness of the multiple incidents and its commitment to a thorough investigation. “We are actively investigating these incidents and are closely monitoring these and other locations around the City. As we continue to investigate, APD has set up directed patrols at all mosque locations,” the statement read. APD also encouraged residents to report suspicious activity and reminded the public of its “We All Belong” campaign, which promotes inclusion and rejects intolerance.
The department’s swift response reflects the gravity with which local authorities are treating the incidents. “We all belong in this community. APD remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive Austin community. Our ongoing efforts aim to ensure a community where every member feels safe, valued, and respected,” the APD spokesperson said.
Rising Islamophobia in Texas and Beyond
The recent vandalism is not an isolated event but part of a disturbing trend of rising anti-Muslim sentiment in Texas and across the United States. CAIR-Austin has documented a surge in Islamophobia, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian incidents since October 2023, coinciding with heightened tensions in the Middle East. “We have seen an increase in Islamophobia, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian sentiment since October 2023, so definitely this is just not new,” Zayan noted.
Nationally, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported a record 8,658 discrimination complaints in 2024, marking the highest number since the organization began tracking such data in 1996. This represents a 7.4% increase from the previous year, with hate crimes constituting a significant portion of the complaints. In Texas, the Department of Justice recorded 76 hate crimes motivated by religion in 2023, reflecting a persistent challenge for law enforcement and community leaders.
Hate Crimes and Community Impact
Hate crimes against religious institutions and minority communities have long been a concern in the United States. According to FBI data, anti-Muslim hate crimes remain relatively rare compared to other categories but have shown significant increases following major geopolitical events and periods of heightened rhetoric. The recent vandalism in Austin echoes similar incidents elsewhere, such as attacks on mosques in Los Angeles and Minneapolis, where arson and graffiti have targeted Islamic centers.
The psychological and social impact on affected communities is profound. “It’s not only worship places for us, they are community centers,” said Zayan. “So it affects everyone, women, men, children”. The repeated targeting of mosques not only damages property but also undermines the sense of safety and belonging for thousands of worshippers.
Tracking Hate and Discrimination
Recent data from CAIR and the Department of Justice illustrate the scale of the challenge. In 2023, CAIR documented 8,061 anti-Muslim bias complaints, a 56% increase over the previous year—the majority of these complaints involved discrimination in the workplace, immigration, education, and hate crimes. In Texas, hate crimes motivated by religion accounted for 14.6% of all reported incidents in 2023, with 76 cases recorded.
A major U.S. city survey found that anti-Muslim hate crimes rose by 18% in major cities in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive annual increase. Nationally, anti-Muslim incidents are second only to anti-Jewish incidents in frequency, but both categories have seen sharp rises in recent years. The underreporting of hate crimes remains a concern, as many victims fear backlash or doubt that justice will be served.
Interfaith Solidarity and Healing
In the face of adversity, Austin’s Muslim community is mobilizing to foster resilience and unity. CAIR-Austin is organizing interfaith events to unite people of different backgrounds and faiths, emphasizing dialogue and mutual support. “Please come and join us for community dinners, join us for our interfaith events, and get to talk to our community members and get to know us,” Zayan said, highlighting the importance of building bridges in challenging times.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to combat hate and promote inclusion. Community leaders stress the need for increased security and sustained engagement with the broader public to counter the narratives of division and fear.
Balancing Security and Inclusion
The Austin Police Department’s response to the vandalism reflects a dual commitment to security and community engagement. Directed patrols and increased surveillance at mosques aim to deter further incidents and reassure worshippers. At the same time, the department’s public statements emphasize the importance of inclusion and the rejection of intolerance.
State and federal authorities are also involved in monitoring and responding to hate crimes. The Department of Justice provides resources for reporting and investigating hate incidents, and recent federal indictments, such as the case of a man charged with setting fire to a synagogue in Austin in 2021, demonstrate the serious legal consequences for perpetrators.
Voices from the Community
The impact of the vandalism extends beyond the physical damage to the emotional and psychological well-being of community members. “The repercussions of such hateful actions on the youth are significant,” Zayan said, noting the particular vulnerability of young people who frequent the mosques for spiritual and social support.
Despite the fear and uncertainty, many in the community remain determined to stand together. “We all belong in this community,” the APD spokesperson said, echoing the sentiments of many Austin residents who reject hate and embrace diversity.
Challenges and Opportunities for Healing
As investigations continue, the Austin community faces both challenges and opportunities. The immediate priority is ensuring the safety of all residents and restoring a sense of security for those directly affected by the vandalism. Long-term efforts will focus on education, interfaith dialogue, and policy initiatives to address the root causes of hate and discrimination.
Community leaders and law enforcement officials are calling for continued vigilance and cooperation. “We strongly encourage our community to come forward and report any suspicious activity,” the APD said, urging residents to follow the “See Something, Say Something” protocol.
A Community United Against Hate
The recent vandalism at three Austin mosques highlights the ongoing challenges posed by hate and intolerance in American society. The incidents have prompted a swift and coordinated response from law enforcement and community leaders, who are working together to ensure safety, promote inclusion, and foster resilience.
The broader context of rising Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment underscores the need for sustained action at the local, state, and national levels. As Austin’s Muslim community demonstrates, unity and solidarity are powerful antidotes to fear and division. The city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion remains a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.
“We all belong in this community. APD remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive Austin community. Our ongoing efforts aim to ensure a community where every member feels safe, valued, and respected.”
— Austin Police Department