International Statement on the Attack on the Islamic Centre of San Diego

We honour Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad, and Mansour Kaziha for their courageous and heroic actions, which prevented even greater devastation and loss of life. Their bravery in the face of terror reflects the strength and resilience of communities targeted by hatred. We pray that their families and loved ones find peace, healing, and strength during this unimaginably painful time.

We represent an international working group of Muslim community organizations based in New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Australia, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Our work focuses on addressing the global and transnational dimensions of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism. The attack on the Islamic Centre of San Diego is not an isolated incident. It must be understood within a broader global context in which anti-Muslim hatred is increasingly normalized and glorified through interconnected local and international networks.

Details emerging about the attack illustrate the transnational nature of the attackers’ motivations to terrorize the San Diego Muslim community. According to reports, the attackers drew inspiration from previous mosque and anti-Muslim attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand; Quebec City, Canada; and London, Canada, among other sites of violence. This underscores the urgent need to recognize that Islamophobia is articulated and perpetuated through global systems of dehumanisation that promote racism, white supremacy and violence.

These ideologies are amplified online through social media platforms, extremist forums, algorithmic recommendation systems, and digital communities that glorify acts of terror and encourage imitation. They are also driven by mainstream politics and policies that dehumanise Muslims and refuse to take the consequences seriously.

It is deeply alarming that the perpetrators of the San Diego attack were young people aged 17 and 18. Questions must be asked of the pervasive and ubiquitous environment of Islamophobia that has been created and perpetrated by the highest offices and institutions in the US. From the President’s office to the Department of War, these narratives of dehumanisation are uncritically circulated, resulting in the mainstreaming of bigotry and xenophobia. How can we expect young people to learn tolerance and compassion when leadership within the country is actively spreading misinformation?

At this painful moment, we reaffirm our collective commitment to solidarity, justice, and the protection of Muslim communities everywhere. We stand united against hatred and violence, and we remain committed to building societies grounded in dignity, safety, pluralism, and mutual respect for all people.

Signed, Collectif Contre l'Islamophobie en Europe, CAGE International, Islamophobia Register, Australia Muslim Votes Matter, Australia Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN), Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand, Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, National Council of Canadian Muslims, Justice For All Canada, Islamophobia Research Hub York University Canada, Canadian Council of Muslim Women, Cordoba Foundation UK, The Muslim Vote UK, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) USA