All articles tagged with #mosques
Illia Bilyk, a 21-year-old Ukrainian man, pleaded guilty to vandalizing five locations in east London, including mosques, in a case linked to a Russian network connected to the Starmer arson incident.
In Texas, routine Muslim religious practices—prayer, hijab, religious arbitration, and even mosques—are increasingly framed as political threats, with officials launching investigations and using funding leverage against Muslim groups. The move is part of a broader pattern of Islamophobia in U.S. politics post-9/11, though scholars stress that sharia is not a rival legal system and private religious arbitration operates within the bounds of state law.
Israel’s IDF and Shin Bet say they dismantled five Hamas weapon storage facilities and a launch site across Gaza, including locations inside mosques and near humanitarian infrastructure, destroying rockets, ammo and other military gear while issuing civilian warnings and using precision strikes under a cease-fire framework. Israel accuses Hamas of exploiting civilian sites, cites recent weapons finds in mosques, and its diplomats criticized Hamas’s threats in the broader context of the Israel‑Hamas conflict.
Palestinian officials say Israeli settlers overnight torched two mosques, vandalized cars, and burned farmland in the occupied West Bank, with hate graffiti found on walls, in attacks that followed a deadly clash near Tal; the IDF conducted raids and arrests as Netanyahu pledged strong action amid international condemnation and rising violence.
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with preparing terrorist acts after police found documents linked to an alleged plan to target two London mosques, connected to extreme right-wing terrorism. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court; investigators say there is no wider threat and have increased patrols, as counter-terrorism officers note rising involvement of youths in such cases.
Three people were killed outside the Islamic Center of San Diego in a shooting carried out by two young men whose motives drew on online hatred and conspiracy theories about Muslims; the incident underscores a growing wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric in U.S. politics and society, with affected families describing fear and grief as communities demand accountability.
Thousands from Tirah Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa fled to Bara and nearby towns after mosque announcements urged evacuation over possible military action against militants, with heavy snowfall making the escape arduous. Government denies any planned operation, while a military source says only targeted, intelligence-based actions are ongoing; officials say no large-scale offensive due to terrain and winter, as relief centers register displaced families and residents recount difficult journeys.
Mosques in New York City are struggling to accommodate and feed an increasing number of Muslim migrants, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. Many mosques have become day centers for migrants to rest and recover, while some have opened their doors for iftar meals. The surge in migrants, especially from African Muslim-majority countries, has put a strain on the resources of these mosques, prompting appeals for donations. The city's faith-based communities are facing challenges in providing overnight shelter, and while a program was announced to support them, only a few have been approved so far. Despite the difficulties, migrants express gratitude for the support provided by the mosques.
Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef expressed his concern over images and videos showing Israeli soldiers disrespecting and desecrating mosques and religious sites during the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank. He wrote a letter to the IDF Chief Rabbi, emphasizing that such actions cause damage to the people of Israel and its global image. Rabbi Yosef called for soldiers to be educated about the importance of respecting the feelings of members of other religions.
Chinese authorities have closed or altered hundreds of mosques in the northern regions of Ningxia and Gansu, as part of efforts to "sinicise" religious minorities. Human Rights Watch (HRW) researchers found that the Chinese government has significantly reduced the number of mosques in these regions, with satellite imagery showing the removal of domes and minarets. The closure, destruction, and repurposing of mosques are seen as part of a systematic effort to curb the practice of Islam in China. The mosque consolidation policy has also been observed in Xinjiang, where an estimated 65% of mosques have been destroyed or damaged since 2017.
The Chinese government is implementing a "mosque consolidation" policy in Ningxia and Gansu provinces, which involves decommissioning, closing, demolishing, and converting mosques for secular use, as part of its efforts to restrict the practice of Islam. Islamic architectural features, such as domes and minarets, have been removed from many mosques. This violates the right to freedom of religion and is part of a systematic effort to curb the practice of Islam in China. The Chinese government claims that the policy aims to reduce the economic burden on Muslims and promote unity, but it is seen as a means to control and assimilate religious minorities. Human Rights Watch has called on the Chinese government to reverse its Sinicization campaign on religions and for foreign governments to press China to cease its mosque consolidation policy and broader Sinicization campaign.
Jewish and Palestinian Muslim communities in the United States are feeling grief and apprehension following the recent Hamas attack on Israeli civilians and Israel's subsequent reprisals in Gaza. Synagogues and mosques have increased security measures, and trauma experts have been invited to speak to congregants. Despite the tension, worshippers are seeking spiritual and emotional connection, with synagogues expecting higher turnout for Friday night services. Jewish and Muslim leaders are reaching out to support each other, offering sympathies and expressing solidarity in the face of loss and suffering.
Suicide bombings targeted two mosques in Pakistan, killing at least 57 people and injuring over 60. The first blast occurred in Balochistan, killing 52 people, while the second attack took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming five lives. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings, which occurred during events commemorating the Prophet Mohammed's birthday. These attacks come amidst a surge in militant activity leading up to the country's upcoming general elections in January.
A man has been arrested and charged with arson after setting fire to two mosques in Minneapolis in April. Jackie Rahm Little is also accused of sending harassing messages to and vandalizing the office of a member of Congress earlier this year. Rep. Ilhan Omar said the vandalism occurred at her Minneapolis office. Little was seen on surveillance footage attempting to shoplift spray paint from a Target in Minneapolis, and later spray-painted the number “500” on the office door of the member of Congress.
A man with a history of arson has been arrested and charged with setting fires at two Minneapolis mosques last month. Jackie Rahm Little, 36, also known as Joel Arthur Tueting, was taken into federal custody by agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Little allegedly started a fire in a bathroom at the Masjid Omar Islamic Center and was seen in surveillance footage going into the Masjid Al-Rahma Mosque, where a fire erupted on the third floor soon after. No one was hurt in either incident.