Security video shows a man covering his face spray-painting the porch doors, the Imam’s office door and the surrounding fence.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department is investigating after three incidents of vandalism at local Austin mosques this week.
According to the Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), vandalism was discovered at three mosques on Thursday night.
Around 11:30 p.m. on May 22, leadership at the Nueces Mosque in Central Austin discovered spray-painted symbols, including Stars of David, defacing the mosque’s main entrance and surrounding property.
CAIR shared security video showing a man covering his face spray-painting the porch doors, the Imam’s office door and the surrounding fence.
A similar act of vandalism targeted the billboards and gate at the Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association mosque in northwest Austin around the same time, CAIR said. A third mosque, Austin Diyanet Center in northwest Austin, also had vandalism on its billboard and entrance door.
“These three incidents, which reportedly took place at the same night, were apparently targeted attacks meant to instill fear and division,” said CAIR-Austin Operations Manager Shaimaa Zayan. “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. We call upon APD to urgently heighten security and surveillance around all Islamic Centers in Austin. We also urge members of the public who may recognize the perpetrator or have any relevant information to come forward immediately and contact authorities.”
APD said it has set up directed patrols at all mosque locations as it investigates.
“We all belong in this community,” the department said in a statement. “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.”
CAIR said Nueces Mosque has reported four hate incidents since October.
“Nueces Mosque, known for its welcoming atmosphere, has been operating since 1977 in the Austin community,” said Rawand Abdelghani, Nueces Mosque Board Member. “In addition to serving UT Austin Muslim students, we host events for the wider community including interfaith and community dinners. We are deeply concerned about these recent incidents given the rise in Islamophobia, anti-immigrant sentiment and opposition to students’ free speech.”
APD urges members of the public to report hate crimes and related incidents by visiting austintexas.gov/againsthate.
On Sunday, Shalom Austin issued a statement saying local Jewish leaders are reaching out to Islamic community leaders to offer support following the incidents. Its security team has also offered APD assistance in the ongoing investigation.
“Islamophobic hate does not reflect our Austin values, and we feel a deep obligation to speak up and pursue justice for all of our neighbors,” Shalom Austin said. “We know what it is like to endure hate as a religious and cultural minority, how easily rhetoric leads to violence — and how important it is for targeted groups to receive public support. We condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms as we stand in solidarity with Austin’s Islamic community.”