Washington, D.C. | www.mpac.org | May 16, 2025 — Today, the Muslim Public Affairs Council joined together with Islamic Center of Southern California and a large coalition of interfaith and community leaders for a press conference at the Islamic Center of Southern California, united in purpose against the recent act of vandalism targeting the Center.

Regardless of who is responsible for this malicious act, we will not allow hate and bigotry to divide us. We stand united, resilient, and committed to justice.

Watch the Full Press Conference Here

The defacing of a house of worship is more than just property damage. It is a direct attack on the sense of safety and belonging of an entire community. Yet what we witnessed today was not fear or retreat—it was solidarity. People of all faiths came together to denounce this act and reaffirm our shared values of dignity, mutual respect, and peace.

While the symbolism used in the graffiti is still under investigation, it has deeply affected our community. The use of the Star of David, a sacred religious symbol, in this context reflects how global tensions can be manipulated to incite fear. We know this does not reflect our Jewish neighbors, many of whom stood with us today in solidarity. Together, we reject any attempt to divide our communities.

We thank the Los Angeles Police Department and city leaders for their swift response and continued commitment to protecting all houses of worship. We also express deep appreciation to those who spoke out today—faith leaders, public officials, and concerned neighbors—for showing what real community looks like.

This is a time to choose unity over division, compassion over hate. As our faith teaches us, we respond to harm not with revenge, but with mercy, justice, and resolve.

Let this moment remind us: we all have a role to play in building a more just and inclusive society. We will not be intimidated. We will not be silent. We will move forward—together.

We wish to thank the following people who attended today’s press conference:

• Jim McDonnell, LAPD Chief

• Omar Ricci, Spokesperson, Islamic Center of Southern California

• Salam Al-Marayati, President, Muslim Public Affairs Council

• Paul Kim, the Assistant Head Deputy of the Organized Crimes Division, Office of the District Attorney

• Vahid Khorsand, Los Angeles Deputy Mayor

• Frank Oliver, Office of Councilmember Heather Hutt

• Farin Lea, Legislative Deputy, Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis

• Kim Ortega, Communications Director/Arts & Culture Deputy, Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis

• Joumana Silyan-Saba, Director of Civic Participation and Human Rights for the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department (LA Civil Rights)

• Yvette Baharyans, Los Angeles Human Relations Commission’s LA vs Hate Program

• Reverend Kelvin Sauls, Former Senior Pastor, Holman United Methodist Church, Member of Clergy for Black Lives, Co-Founder, Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI)

• Rabbi Hannah Jensen, IKAR

• Brooke Wirtschafter, IKAR

• David Myers, Professor of Jewish History, UCLA

• Nirinjan Khalsa, California Sikh Council

• Reverend Daniel Tamm, President, Interfaith Solidarity Network

• Dr. Lois M. Sprague, Ph.D., President, The Guibord Center - Religion Inside Out

• Reverend Kathy Cooper-Ledesma, Executive Director, The Guibord Center - Religion Inside Out

• Dafer Dakhil, Director of Community Development and External Affairs, Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation

• Umar Hakim-Dey, Inkerij

• Randy Heyn-Lamb, All Saints Episcopal Church

Photos of the Graffiti: