A shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18 killed three people, including a security guard. Two teenage suspects later died by suicide. The attack reflects a broader rise in faith-based hate crimes across the West.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations reported an 7.4% increase in anti-Muslim complaints in 2025. The Anti-Defamation League says antisemitic incidents in the US remain well above pre-October 2023 levels, with CEO Jonathan Greenblatt noting a 70% rise since 2022.
Similar trends are seen globally. In December, a mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney left 15 dead, prompting a national inquiry into antisemitism. In the UK, a stabbing in London's Jewish community of Golders Green has heightened fears, with government data showing Jews face the highest hate crime rate per capita, while anti-Muslim incidents rose 19%.
Experts attribute the surge to political polarization, online extremism, and divisive rhetoric. Civil rights attorney Nadia Aziz says hate crimes have been near record highs since 2015, coinciding with Donald Trump's first presidential campaign and increased activity by organized hate groups.