A 59-year-old man from Morgan Hill, Mark Allen, has been charged with a hate crime after allegedly harassing and assaulting Muslim worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan.

The incident occurred on March 7 outside the South Valley Islamic Community Center, following evening Tarawih prayers at the Morgan Hill Community Center. Witnesses say Allen shouted anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic slurs and assaulted a 76-year-old man who was present with his daughter.

According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Allen pushed the elderly man — who was wearing traditional prayer garments — causing him to nearly fall before being helped by others.

“In a county as diverse as Santa Clara’s, where people of every background live together, it’s incredibly important that we all get along,” said District Attorney Jeff Rosen. “When someone targets others for their religion or ethnicity, we must take a strong stand to protect the fabric of our community.”

Following an investigation that included witness interviews, the DA’s office filed hate crime charges, and an arrest warrant was issued. Allen later turned himself in to police. He is scheduled to be arraigned on May 30, and if convicted, could face up to one year in jail.

Community Response

The incident has sparked widespread outrage among Muslim and interfaith communities in the Bay Area. In a statement, the South Valley Islamic Center said:

“Our community came together during Ramadan in faith, and we should never have to fear being attacked while doing so. We hope this sends a strong message that hate has no home in Morgan Hill.”

CAIR-SFBA, a civil rights organization supporting Muslim communities, praised the decision to file hate crime charges. Civil Rights Attorney Bismah Jaffer emphasized the importance of accountability:

“Targeting Muslims, Palestinians, or allies will not be tolerated. This case helps affirm that our community’s safety matters.”

Mayor Mark Turner also condemned the attack, stating on social media:

“Our Muslim neighbors, like all residents, deserve to feel safe and respected. Let this serve as a reminder that hate will not go unaddressed in Morgan Hill.”

Rise in Hate Incidents

District Attorney Rosen noted that hate crime prosecutions are on the rise in Santa Clara County. So far in 2025, his office has filed 15 hate crime cases, with victims primarily from Latino, Black, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Meanwhile, CAIR’s 2025 Civil Rights Report revealed a troubling surge in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian incidents, with over 8,600 complaints in 2024 — the highest since tracking began.

Anyone who has experienced discrimination or hate in the Bay Area is encouraged to report it by contacting CAIR-SFBA’s Civil Rights Department.