CAIR-NY Calls for Hate Crime Investigation of Violent Threat Made Against Sunnyside Muslim Center
(NEW YORK, NY, 07/07/2026) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for a hate crime investigation into a violent threat targeting the Sunnyside Muslim Center and urged law enforcement to take all necessary measures to protect worshippers ahead of Jummah (weekly Friday congregation) prayers.
According to mosque leadership, the Sunnyside Muslim Center received a voicemail from an individual who identified himself by name and provided his home address before threatening to "shoot up" the masjid (mosque) and “shoot every Muslim” in the masjid. The caller stated that the attack would occur three days later—on Friday, the busiest congregational prayer of the week for Muslims.
The threat has been reported to the New York City Police Department's 108th Precinct, which is currently investigating.
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq., said:
“This was a direct threat targeting Muslims because of their faith and a house of worship because of the people who gather there. Given the explicit anti-Muslim nature of this threat, we urge law enforcement to investigate this incident as a potential hate crime, take immediate steps to safeguard the masjid and its congregants, and hold the individual responsible fully accountable.”
“This violent threat to our masjid and community is a threat to all houses of worship,” Imam Yousuf Chowdhury stated. “As our faith teaches us, if one part of our body feels pain, the entire body hurts. We appreciate the swift response of the NYPD and the ongoing partnership we have with them. We pray they serve the people of New York with excellence."
This threat comes amid a disturbing pattern of anti-Muslim threats directed at mosques across the country. In recent weeks, multiple CAIR chapters have responded to nearly identical threats against Muslim houses of worship, highlighting the urgent need for law enforcement agencies to treat these incidents with the seriousness they deserve and recognize the broader climate of anti-Muslim intimidation.
CAIR-NY stands in solidarity with the Sunnyside Muslim Center and its congregation and encourages anyone with information related to the threat to contact the NYPD immediately.
CAIR offers a “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.
Washington, D.C. based CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
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
Imam Yousuf Chowdhury, (516)-914-9409
President Parvezur Rahman, (646)-942-0772