Attacks on Houses of Worship Raise Fears Worldwide

A spate of recent incidents targeting religious buildings has intensified concerns among clergy and worshippers.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:40am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An ambush targeting one of the nation's largest synagogues in Detroit is the latest in a series of attacks on houses of worship around the world in recent years. The incidents, which have occurred in the United States, Australia, Congo, Egypt, Britain, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, and Syria, have killed hundreds of people and heightened fears among religious communities.

Why it matters

While attending weekly worship services is statistically very safe, the recent attacks have shaken the sense of security for many clergy and congregants. The incidents highlight the vulnerability of religious institutions and the need to address issues of extremism, antisemitism, and religious intolerance that may be driving some of the violence.

The details

The attacks have taken various forms, including shootings, bombings, arson, and vehicle rammings. Targets have included synagogues, churches, mosques, and other places of worship. Some of the incidents have been carried out by white supremacists, while others have been linked to militant groups like the Islamic State. The attacks have left hundreds dead and many more injured.

  • The most recent attack occurred on March 12, 2026 in a Detroit suburb.
  • Other notable attacks include incidents in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019, 2017, and 2015.

The players

Robert Bowers

A white supremacist who fatally shot 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018.

Philip Manshaus

A white nationalist Norwegian who killed his stepsister and then attacked a mosque in Oslo in 2019.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The recent attacks on houses of worship around the world have heightened fears and concerns about the vulnerability of religious institutions and the need to address the underlying issues of extremism, antisemitism, and religious intolerance that may be driving some of the violence.