US Eid Al-Fitr

Muslim worshippers attend Eid al-Fitr prayer at the Islamic Institute of America Friday, March 20, 2026, in Dearborn Heights, Mich.

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Jewish communities boost security and continue observances amid rise in hateful incidents

Jewish and Muslim communities in the United States observed some of the most sacred holidays of their respective religions despite increased security measures and concerns over hateful rhetoric as the war in the Middle East continues. Leaders from local communities stressed efforts to build interfaith dialogue and continue religious observations undeterred by an increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric in recent years. Experts have blamed the rise of hateful rhetoric on new technologies, polarized politics and foreign conflicts. Local leaders say that interfaith dialogue and not cowering to hateful actors is the best response to the increase in hateful violence and rhetoric.