Simi Valley Mosque Reports 'Hate Incident' as Tensions Rise

Police investigate alleged anti-Islamic messages left at Islamic Society of Simi Valley building.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:58pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled business card with handwritten text, conceptually representing the reported 'hate messages' left at a local mosque and church.A recent wave of alleged 'hate incidents' targeting religious institutions in Simi Valley has raised concerns about rising local tensions.Simi Valley Today

Police in Simi Valley, California are investigating a reported 'hate incident' at the Islamic Society of Simi Valley building, where unidentified individuals allegedly left business cards with anti-Islamic messages. The incident comes amid rising local tensions, with a nearby Lutheran church also recently targeted with a 'hate message' vandalism incident.

Why it matters

The reported incidents at the mosque and church have raised concerns about a potential increase in hate-motivated activity targeting religious institutions in the Simi Valley area. However, the lack of details released about the specific nature of the 'hate' involved has led to questions about the severity and context of the incidents.

The details

According to police, officers responded to the Islamic Society of Simi Valley building after receiving a report of a 'possible hate incident.' Authorities stated that several handwritten messages on business card-sized papers were found shoved through the front door of the building, but did not provide specifics on the content of the messages. A week later, a Lutheran church in Simi Valley was also reported to have been vandalized with a 'hate message', though details about that incident were also limited.

  • On April 8, police received the report of the incident at the Islamic Society of Simi Valley building.
  • On April 16, the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church was reported to have been vandalized with a hate message.

The players

Islamic Society of Simi Valley

A local Islamic organization that reported the alleged 'hate incident' at its building.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church

A local Lutheran church that was also reportedly targeted with a 'hate message' vandalism incident.

Simi Valley Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the reported incidents at the mosque and church.

Hussam Ayloush

The Los Angeles director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), who condemned the alleged targeting of the Islamic Society of Simi Valley.

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What they’re saying

“The targeting of the Islamic Society of Simi Valley, alongside reports of hate incidents targeting two other local mosques, is deeply alarming and comes at a time when Muslims across the nation are facing an unprecedented wave of hate.”

— Hussam Ayloush, CAIR-Los Angeles Director

What’s next

Police have not yet identified any suspects in the reported incidents and are continuing to investigate the nature and motivations behind the alleged 'hate' messages.

The takeaway

The lack of details released about the specific content and context of the 'hate' messages has led to questions about the severity of the incidents and whether they represent a broader pattern of targeted activity against religious institutions in the Simi Valley area.