Washington, D.C. | www.mpac.org | September 23, 2025 — The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) unequivocally condemns the shooting of a Muslim woman in Capitol Heights, Maryland, last Monday. Reports indicate that the victim, who was wearing a niqab, was shot multiple times while leaving a shopping area. She was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
This attack must not be seen as an isolated incident. It comes amid a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes, fueled by growing political polarization, Islamophobia, and a climate of racial and religious bigotry across the nation. The visible markers of the victim’s faith make clear that this attack should be investigated as a potential hate crime.
No one in America should have to fear for their safety simply because of how they worship, what they believe, or how they dress. We call on local, state, and federal law enforcement to treat this attack with the urgency it deserves by fully investigating the possibility of a bias motive.
At a time when Muslim communities and other marginalized groups are experiencing heightened threats, our institutions must send a clear message: hate-driven violence will not be tolerated, and those who perpetrate it will be held accountable.