The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for a hate crime investigation of reported vandalism targeting a crescent moon Ramadan display put up by Muslim students in Tempe.
In a statement, CAIR-AZ Executive Director Azza Abuseif said:
“We strongly condemn the vandalism of a Ramadan display created by Muslim students and call for a full, transparent investigation into whether this was a hate-driven act. This is not a coincidence. It comes on the heels of HCM2002 advancing and a troubling wave of Islamophobic rhetoric from some of our state leaders, rhetoric that fuels hostility and puts real people at risk.
“All Americans, regardless of faith or background, have the right to live and express their beliefs without fear. Acts like this are not isolated. They are a direct threat to the safety, dignity, and belonging of our communities, and we will not stay silent.”
Earlier this month, CAIR-AZ welcomed an arrest for a reported attack targeting children at a mosque in north Phoenix.
Earlier today, CAIR’s Northern Ohio chapter welcomed the arrest of a man who allegedly plotted a mass shooting at an Ohio mosque.
Yesterday, CAIR’s Pittsburgh chapter welcomed the arrest of an individual accused of making threats against the Islamic Center of Western Pennsylvania (ICWP) and is calling for continued vigilance to protect Muslim communities.
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
Last month, CAIR-AZ 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 to 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.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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.
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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