The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a threatening letter sent to a mosque in Glendale, Arizona, as a possible hate crime.
The letter, allegedly sent to the United Islamic Center of Arizona, said, “Leave our country,” and apparently contained bacon. [NOTE: Muslims are prohibited from consuming pork products and bigots often use pigs or pork to deliberately offend Muslim sensibilities.]
“This reported threatening and Islamophobic act is deeply disturbing and appears intended to intimidate members of the local Muslim community,” said CAIR-AZ Executive Director Azza Abuseif. “We urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate this incident as a potential hate crime and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the mosque and its congregants.”
She also called on public officials to speak out against hate and to reaffirm their commitment to protecting religious freedom for all.
Abuseif urged community leaders to utilize CAIR’s “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet, which offers advice on how to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to houses of worship of all faiths.
Last week, CAIR-AZ welcomed the indictment of a man who reportedly fired at worshipers at a Phoenix mosque.
CAIR-AZ also called for a hate crime investigation of reported vandalism targeting a crescent moon Ramadan display put up by Muslim students in Tempe.
CAIR-AZ recently called on Arizona residents of all faiths and backgrounds to urge their state legislators and Governor Hobbs to oppose an unconstitutional, bigoted bill, SB1018, that purports to ban “sharia law” from being enforced in the state.
The resurgence of “anti-Sharia” bills nationwide reflects a coordinated political effort to weaponize fear of Islam for political reasons.
Last year, CAIR released a congressional briefing memo, “Weaponized Islamophobia: The Return of the Anti-Sharia Hoax,” to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, along with a companion educational document titled “Sharia in American Life.”
In January, CAIR-AZ welcomed a letter sent to Arizona legislators signed by dozens of local civil rights, advocacy and faith-based organizations who strongly oppose a defamatory resolution attacking CAIR-Arizona by anti-Muslim lawmaker Rep. John Gillette, who has previously referred to Muslims as “savages.”
According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have continued to rise nationwide, reflecting an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia impacting communities across the country.
SEE: 2026 Civil Rights Report: The Right to be Different
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | TikTok | Website | YouTube
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
You are receiving this email due to your interest selection from commercial media databases. If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
END
CONTACT: CAIR Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, 602-349-1573, aabuseif@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com