Latest news with #ShaimaaZayan
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mosques to hold community gathering after vandals spray paint Star of David on building
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A press conference scheduled for Tuesday will feature representatives of three local mosques that were recently vandalized with spray painted Stars of David on the building, according to a press release from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR-Austin. The vandalism at Nueces Mosque, which was caught on a security camera, shows a white person in shorts, t-shirt and a head wrap walk onto the porch before using a blue spray paint on the building. The Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association and Austin Diyanet Center also 'experienced coward vandalism over the night,' according to the release. Previous: Police investigating vandalism incidents at Austin mosques CAIR Austin Operations Manager Shaimaa Zayan said in the release that hate comes 'from isolation and misinformation.' 'Acts of vandalism against houses of worship are not only attacks on physical spaces but also on the values of tolerance, diversity, and mutual respect,' Zayan said. 'On behalf of the Austin Muslim community, we warmly invite all Austinites—of all faiths and no faith—to attend the upcoming community gathering at Nueces Mosque.' The gathering will held at Nueces Mosque Thursday from 6-8 p.m. She also called for contributions to the mosques' fundraiser campaign to improve security at the places of worship. The Austin Police Department said it is investigating the vandalism incidents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Austin mosques targeted in vandalism, prompting calls for heightened security
Three Austin mosques were reportedly vandalized late Wednesday night in what the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called a series of targeted hate incidents. The spray-painted graffiti, including Stars of David, appeared at Nueces Mosque, Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association (IABA), and the Austin Diyanet Center. Security footage from Nueces Mosque shows a masked white male tagging multiple areas, including the entrance, the Imam's office, and a nearby fence. Similar graffiti was later found at IABA's gate and billboards and at the Diyanet Center's entrance. CAIR-Austin noted these acts fit a 'disturbing pattern' of incidents against Muslim houses of worship in the city. Nueces Mosque has reported four hate-related incidents since October. 'These three incidents, which reportedly took place on the same night, were apparently targeted attacks meant to instill fear and division,' said CAIR-Austin Operations Manager Shaimaa Zayan. 'We call upon APD to urgently heighten security and surveillance around all Islamic Centers in Austin.' In response, the Austin Police Department said it is actively investigating the incidents and has increased patrols at all mosque locations. 'APD remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive Austin community,' said Public Information Manager Lisa Cortinas. Nueces Mosque board member Rawand Abdelghani said the mosque has long served the Muslim student population at the University of Texas at Austin and regularly hosts interfaith events. 'We are deeply concerned about these recent incidents given the rise in Islamophobia, anti-immigrant sentiment, and opposition to students' free speech,' he said. CAIR has urged mosque leaders to follow its 'Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety' guide and encouraged anyone with information to contact authorities. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Area mosques vandalized, prompting calls for heightened security
