CAIR-NY Condemns Vandalism Targeting Queens Synagogues, Calls for Swift Investigation

(NEW YORK, NY, 7/19/26) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the vandalism targeting two Queens synagogues and welcomed the ongoing investigation by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force into the apparent bias-motivated incidents. Authorities are investigating after vandals defaced two houses of worship in Queens, prompting a hate crimes investigation. 

Earlier this month, CAIR-NY joined a public call to identify an alleged suspect in a string of anti-Islam vandalism targeting several mosques in Brooklyn, also under investigation by the Hate Crimes Task Force. 

In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq., said:

“We strongly condemn this apparent act of hate targeting houses of worship. Every New Yorker deserves to practice their faith free from intimidation, vandalism, or violence. We stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors and urge law enforcement to thoroughly investigate these incidents, identify those responsible, and hold them fully accountable. An attack on any community’s place of worship is an attack on the values of religious freedom and mutual respect that unite all New Yorkers.”

She said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry. 

CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos. 

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CONTACT:

Afaf Nasher, Esq. CAIR-NY Executive Director, ANasher@cair.com

CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com