America’s largest Muslim civil rights organization has called on federal authorities to urgently restore Muslim community access to security funding following the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations sent a formal letter to the Department of Homeland Security, warning that Muslim organizations across the United States continue to face barriers in obtaining federal grants designed to strengthen protection for places of worship and community centers.
Addressed to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the letter expressed concern that previous DHS policies discouraged Muslim groups from participating in the nonprofit security grant program. CAIR also pointed to reports claiming that funding for several Muslim organizations had been suspended or revoked through allegations described as vague and unfair.
The organization stressed that American mosques remain vulnerable amid a growing pattern of anti-Muslim violence, including bomb threats, arson incidents, assault cases, and planned mass shootings. CAIR argued that equal access to federal security resources is essential to protect worshippers and community members from rising threats.
The appeal followed Monday’s deadly attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where three people, including a security guard, lost their lives. Authorities are treating the incident as a possible hate crime, while officials confirmed that the suspects later died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The tragedy has intensified fear among Muslim communities nationwide, particularly as it occurred days before the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha and the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, periods when mosques traditionally witness large gatherings of worshippers.