The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the violent online threats responding to an online anti-Muslim smear campaign targeting the Islamic Center of Irvine (ICOI).
The campaign, fueled by misinformation circulating on social media by notorious anti-Muslim bigots, falsely claims that ICOI “seized control” of three additional buildings it purchased near the mosque to create a “parallel society” where U.S. laws do not apply. These false claims led to a surge of hateful rhetoric and alarming threats of violence against the mosque and its congregants.
CAIR-LA is working closely with ICOI to provide support and guidance. ICOI takes the safety and security of its community seriously and has contacted local law enforcement.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“The online threats targeting ICOI—rooted in tired anti-Muslim conspiracy theories—are deeply alarming, especially at a time when Muslims across the nation are facing an unprecedented wave of hate and feeling increasingly unsafe in their own communities and places of worship.
“Islamophobic incidents such as this contribute to a growing climate of fear and division and incite violence against the Muslim community. This type of hateful rhetoric has real consequences, as we witnessed in the horrific attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego by anti-Muslim extremists in May.
“ICOI has long been a cornerstone of interfaith engagement and community service in Orange County. We urge public officials and community members to stand united against hate and violence while upholding the fundamental American principle of religious freedom.”
CAIR-LA calls on community leaders, elected officials, and residents to reject misinformation and support ICOI’s efforts to continue serving the broader public through initiatives such as its longstanding educational and community assistance programs.
The organization also urges social media platforms and law enforcement agencies to take threats of violence seriously and to ensure accountability for those who incite harm.
In April, CAIR-LA condemned a similar Islamophobic smear campaign targeting the Islamic Society of Orange County in Garden Grove.
CAIR’s California chapter also previously condemned online death threats directed at Hussam Ayloush, the organization’s CEO and executive director of CAIR-LA, on the public X account of former FBI agent and anti-Muslim extremist John Guandolo.
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.
CAIR recently documented 17 incidents targeting mosques and Islamic centers nationwide, including multiple in California, from May to July—a 183% increase over the same three-month period last year.
CAIR-LA urges mosque leaders to maintain increased awareness and utilize resources to maintain community safety, including CAIR’s “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-LA also published a guide on mosque security, which advises mosque leadership on what to do if their place of worship is targeted by hate.
To report any bias or hate incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 (ext. 2) or click here to file a report.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com
