The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) recently joined partner organizations LA vs Hate and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) to cohost the unveiling of a new mural by Palestinian American artist Saj Issa at the Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC). The event was attended by community members, faith leaders, artists, and local elected officials.
The mural, titled “Sabr at Fajr,” meaning “Patience at Dawn,” explores the themes of patience, resilience, and cultural identity through the symbolic sabr (prickly pear cactus) plant taking root in an ethereal landscape that evokes connections to both Los Angeles and the Middle East.
The piece was developed through the MuralColors Artist Residency Program and a community input process that gathered hundreds of responses from members of LA County’s diverse Muslim community.
This timely artwork comes shortly after ICSC was targeted with hate-motivated graffiti, prompting a swift and unified community response condemning the incident and renewed efforts to combat hate in all its forms.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Civil Rights Managing Attorney Dina Chehata, esq., said:
“Over the last 21 months, the American Muslim community and our allies have faced an increase in Islamophobic, xenophobic, and racist hate here at home while watching a U.S.-funded genocide against our communities abroad happen in real-time. But in a time of growing hostility, we gather here not in fear, but in faith and resolve.
“This mural is more than art on a wall: it is a declaration of presence, belonging, and enduring. It is a statement that we will not be erased; that when our communities are targeted and our mosques defaced, we will not meet hate with silence, but with unity, solidarity, and strength.”
In a statement, LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell said:
“What happened here in May was an act of hate, but what’s happening here is an act of love, resilience, and unity. This mural reflects the spirit of LA County’s Signs of Solidarity campaign, which is about reclaiming space, amplifying community voices, and making visible our shared values of inclusion and belonging. Through art, visibility, and collective action, we are standing together to show that hate has no home in LA County.”
In a statement, LA County Commission on Human Relations Executive Director Robin Toma said:
“This mural is not just a response to hate; it’s a vision for what solidarity looks like. We know that public art has the power to heal and to inspire, especially when it is rooted in community voice. Through the Signs of Solidarity campaign, we’re creating visible reminders across the county that hate will not divide us—and that unity, respect, and inclusion are values we will stand for every day.”
In a statement, MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati said:
“This mural affirms the vital role the Muslim community plays in the fabric of Los Angeles—woven into its communities, culture, and civic life. In the face of hate and division, we respond with dignity, expression, and a shared commitment to justice and to benefit humanity.”
The mural unveiling is part of LA vs Hate’s Signs of Solidarity campaign, a grassroots initiative to counter the rise in hate, hostility, and discrimination by reclaiming public spaces with messages of diversity and inclusion.
SEE: CAIR-CA Says State Hate Crime Report Fails to Capture Scope of Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate
Earlier this year, CAIR’s national office released its 2025 Civil Rights Report, titled “Unconstitutional Crackdowns,” which reveals that Islamophobia remains at an all-time high across the country. CAIR said viewpoint discrimination against those speaking out against genocide and apartheid was a key factor in many cases.
To report any bias or hate incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 (ext. 2) or click here to file a report.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Morse-Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com