ICSC Statement on Recent Vandalism
Islamic Center of Southern California Statement on Recent Vandalism
LOS ANGELES On May 12, 2025, the Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC) was targeted in a disturbing act of vandalism. Graffiti defacing an exterior wall and nearby trees included symbols that the Los Angeles Police Department has identified as potentially hate-motivated. LAPDs Major Crimes Division has opened a hate crime investigation, and we are cooperating fully with their ongoing efforts.
We are grateful to LAPD for their swift and serious response, and we remain in close communication with city officials as this investigation continues.
As a house of worship, the Islamic Center of Southern California has always strived to be a space of refuge, dignity, and community for all Angelenos. We are deeply saddened by this act, but not deterred. As the Quran reminds us:
"Repel evil with what is better, and your enemy will become as close as an intimate friend."
Quran 41:34
To our daily congregants, families, students, and visitors your safety and peace of mind are paramount. We understand that incidents like this may cause concern, fear, or even strong emotions such as anger or grief, especially for those who come to ICSC for prayer, learning, or a sense of belonging. These are all valid and deeply human reactions.
In these moments, we choose to be guided by our Islamic values to lead with dignity, respond with patience, and act with wisdom. As the Prophet Muhammad taught:
You are not strong because you overpower others, but because you control yourself when angered.
Bukhari & Muslim
Let us lead by example as a community rooted in compassion, resilience, and clarity of purpose. Please know that enhanced safety measures are in place, and we are working closely with law enforcement to ensure that our campus remains a secure and welcoming space for all.
Whether you attend daily prayers, send your children to weekend school, volunteer, or simply come for spiritual reflection this is your home. You are part of a community that stands with you.
While this act reflects a broader climate of hostility affecting houses of worship across the nation, our resolve remains firm. We continue to be anchored in our mission to foster mercy, justice, and unity values that will never be erased by acts of hate.
We call on our neighbors, community partners, and civic leaders to join us in condemning hatred in all its forms. Attacks on any place of worship are an affront to the moral conscience of society, and we must stand together in solidarity and action.
We pray for healing, justice, and the safety of all communities here in Los Angeles and across the world.
In the spirit of transparency and unity, ICSC is planning a press conference the morning of Friday, May 16, in coordination with LAPD and local civic leaders. More information will be shared soon.
In faith and solidarity,
The Islamic Center of Southern California
We are an independent organization whose primary goal is the development of a vibrant American Muslim identity through spiritual, educational, and recreational activities. \