Man enters mosque, threatens people at prayer: ‘If you stand up, you die’
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and its Oregon chapter (CAIR-Oregon) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate reported threats and harassment of Muslim worshipers at prayer in a Portland, Oregon, mosque as a hate crime.
A man reportedly entered the Abu-Bakar Islamic Center, making threats to worshipers conducting morning (fajr) prayers, including: “If you stand up, you die” or “people die today.”
“No religious center or community should face violence or threats,” said Zakir Khan, Board Chair for CAIR-Oregon. “Our community is traumatized by this act. We call on the Portland Police Bureau to arrest this individual and charge them with a bias crime. We are grateful for Portland Mayor Wilson and his staff’s engagement on this case.”
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“This disturbing incident, in which a suspect allegedly targeting individuals engaged in peaceful worship, must be treated with the utmost seriousness. We urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough hate crime investigation of this incident. No one should fear for their safety while practicing their faith.”
Last week, CAIR’s Northern Ohio chapter welcomed the arrest of a man who allegedly plotted a mass shooting at an Ohio mosque.
CAIR’s Pittsburgh chapter also 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.
Earlier this month, CAIR’s Arizona chapter welcomed an arrest for a reported attack targeting children at a mosque in north Phoenix.
Earlier this week, CAIR’s New York chapter asked for the public’s assistance with information leading to the arrest and conviction of a man who reportedly attacked a woman on a subway platform while making “anti-Islamic” statements.
CAIR recommended that community leaders utilize the information offered in CAIR’s “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety,” a booklet that offers advice on how to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to houses of worship of all faiths.
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
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CONTACT: 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