Hate Attack on San Diego Islamic Center Kills 3, Injures Others

Washington – Saeed Erikat – 18/5/2026

San Diego, USA, witnessed a bloody attack on Monday targeting the city's Islamic Center, resulting in the deaths of at least three people. The incident brings renewed attention to the escalating anti-Muslim hate speech in the United States, amidst growing concerns about the impact of an inciting political and media climate on violence.

US police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that two gunmen, later identified as two young men aged 17 and 19, opened fire near the Islamic Center before being found dead inside a nearby car, succumbing to what authorities described as “self-inflicted gunshot wounds.”

The Islamic Center in San Diego includes a mosque and a religious school. The center's Imam, Taha Hassan, confirmed via a video message on social media that all students, teachers, and staff inside the school were safe and unharmed.

According to law enforcement officials, investigators found anti-Islam writings inside the attackers' car, and the phrase “hate speech” was found written on one of the weapons used in the attack. Preliminary investigations indicated that one of the perpetrators took the weapon from his parents' home and left a suicide note before carrying out the operation.

The president of the Islamic Center, Ahmed Shabik, said that one of the deceased was working as a security guard at the mosque. Large police forces rushed to the scene and conducted extensive searches inside the building amidst a state of chaos and panic.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the attack, noting that it comes amid a rise in complaints related to discrimination and incitement against Muslims in the United States. The executive director of CAIR in San Diego, Tzeheen Nizam, said: “No one should fear for their life while praying or studying.”

Following the attack, the Los Angeles Police Department announced increased security patrols around mosques, Islamic centers, and places of worship, in anticipation of any potential assaults. California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that he is closely monitoring the developments of the incident.

This attack comes at a time when religious institutions in the United States are experiencing increasing threats and repeated acts of violence, prompting many to tighten security measures.

The attack on the Islamic Center in San Diego reveals the seriousness of the escalating anti-Muslim rhetoric within the United States, especially when political and media incitement turns into an environment that justifies violence against religious minorities. In recent years, statements and positions by US President Donald Trump, both during his election campaigns and after his return to the political scene, have contributed to solidifying a negative image of Muslims and immigrants, by repeatedly linking them to terrorism or threatening “American identity.” This type of discourse does not remain only in the realm of politics, but also spreads to the streets and fuels feelings of hatred among some extremists who see violence as a “legitimate” means of expressing their racist ideas.

The danger of anti-Muslim incidents increases when they occur in a political context where hate speech appears acceptable or is not clearly condemned by influential figures. Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly used harsh rhetoric towards Muslims, from calling for a ban on their entry into the United States to insinuations linking Islam to violence and extremism. Although these statements are sometimes presented as political or security positions, their social impact goes far beyond that, as they give extremist groups a sense that their ideas resonate within the highest levels of power. Therefore, observers believe that confronting hate crimes is not limited to security measures, but also begins with controlling political and media discourse.

The San Diego attack reflects a deeper crisis related to the growing domestic extremism in the United States, where religious and racial hatred has become one of the main sources of violence. Human rights reports indicate a significant increase in verbal and physical assaults against Muslims since the rise of right-wing populist rhetoric in recent years. Many fear that the continuation of this climate will lead to more attacks on mosques and Islamic centers, especially given the widespread dissemination of inciting content online. Moreover, the absence of decisive condemnation from some political leaders, or the use of discourse that discriminates between citizens based on religion or origin, contributes to deepening societal division and undermining the values of pluralism upon which American democracy is built.