Three Austin Mosques Vandalized Amid Islamophobia Concerns

Three mosques in Austin, Texas—the Nueces Mosque, Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association, and Austin Diyanet Center—were vandalized on the night of May 22, 2025, with spray-painted graffiti including Stars of David. Surveillance footage from the Nueces Mosque shows a masked man defacing multiple parts of the building, marking the fourth hate incident reported at this mosque since October 2024. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Austin chapter condemned these acts as targeted hate crimes intended to instill fear and division within the Muslim community, which includes over 60,000 worshippers in Central Texas. CAIR has called on the Austin Police Department (APD) to increase patrols and security around all mosque locations and urged the public to report any relevant information. APD confirmed it is actively investigating the incidents, has ramped up patrols at affected mosques, and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a secure and inclusive community. Community leaders emphasized the importance of interfaith solidarity and encouraged public engagement to counteract growing Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment in the area.