05/20/2026
Statement from the Harrisonburg Muslim Community.
The Harrisonburg Muslim community mourns and condemns the tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego yesterday. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all those impacted by this horrifying act of violence targeting a place of worship and learning.
This attack comes amid a deeply troubling rise in hate crimes and acts of intimidation directed toward Muslims, immigrants, and marginalized communities across the country. Words matter. Public rhetoric that demonizes, scapegoats, or dehumanizes entire communities creates an environment where hatred and violence can grow.
We call on political leaders, media figures, and public officials to act responsibly and reject language that fuels fear, division, and hostility toward vulnerable communities.
As more facts come to light, we refuse to accept mental illness as the sole explanation for why two teenagers would allegedly target a school and a house of worship. Such acts do not happen in a vacuum. Young people are influenced by the environment around them, including hateful ideologies, online radicalization, and the rhetoric modeled by adults and institutions.
We stand with our neighbors throughout the Shenandoah Valley united against all forms of hate, violence, racism, bigotry, and extremism. We reaffirm our commitment to solidarity, justice, and the protection of every community’s right to live, learn, and worship in peace and safety.