The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism targeting a Maryland mosque as a possible hate crime.
On Wednesday evening, an unknown male reportedly approached the Islamic Society of Frederick in Frederick, Maryland, ripped off a large American flag that was displayed at the gate at the entrance of the mosque and walked away. There were members of the congregation inside of the mosque during the incident.
In a statement, CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“Targeting a house of worship and tearing down a symbol like the American flag is an apparent attempt to intimidate the local Muslim community. We urge law enforcement authorities to investigate this troubling incident as a potential hate crime. Every community deserves to feel safe and secure in their place of worship.”
CAIR is calling on Muslim community leaders to utilize its current resources to help keep religious facilities safe:
- CAIR’s ‘Protecting Your Mosques’ Self-Defense Webinar in Wake of San Diego Mosque Terror Attack
- Introductory Section of Protecting Your Mosques Self-Defense Seminar
- CAIR Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety
Yesterday, CAIR called on law enforcement authorities in West Virginia to step up security in the area of mosques and Islamic institutions and investigate a reported online threat to “kill” Muslims in that state.
In that Facebook group discussion, participants reportedly asked, “Where’s the nearest mosque,” followed by, “Let’s put it to a combat vote,” and: The good news is we don’t have the [sic] go to another country to kill them. There are plenty of them here!”
Also yesterday, CAIR’s Ohio chapter welcomed federal charges filed against Wyatt Brzoska, a 20-year-old Valley City man accused of posting online threats and planning a violent attack against a mosque in Columbia Station, Ohio.
Washington, D.C.-based CAIR recently said it has documented 17 incidents targeting Islamic places of worship in May, June, and July to date. The 17 incidents represent 51 percent of the previous year’s total and a 183 percent increase over the same three-month period last year, during which CAIR documented six such incidents.
CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, [email protected]; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]