(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 8/6/26) — The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR Ohio), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the vandalism and burglary of a Cincinnati-area mosque as a possible hate crime after hateful messages, including the word “Die,” were reportedly left behind.
CAIR said the Westwood Islamic Community Center in Cincinnati was burglarized and vandalized, with suspects causing extensive property damage and leaving threatening graffiti.
In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Khalid Turaani said:
“We strongly condemn this disturbing act of vandalism targeting a house of worship. The hateful messages reportedly left behind indicate this crime may have been motivated by bias. Every member of our community should be able to worship freely without fear of harassment, violence, or intimidation. We urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to identify those responsible, hold them accountable, and reassure the Muslim community that attacks apparently motivated by hate will not be tolerated.”
He noted that 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.
Turaani added that earlier this week, CAIR condemned hateful, conspiratorial, and dangerous public comments made about a proposed mosque by individuals at a Mooresville, N.C., Board of Commissioners meeting.
He said 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.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers a “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.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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.
END
CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & North Executive Director Faten Odeh, [email protected], 216-440-2247; Khalid Turaani, Executive Director, CAIR Ohio, [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]