Jewish, Muslim leaders warn of rise in antisemitic, anti-Muslim acts as war rages in Israel and Gaza

A young boy holds a sign that reads “I am not a threat” during a vigil for Wadea Al Fayoume at the gymn of Prairie Activity & Recreation Center, Tuesday in Plainfield. Wadea, 6, was stabbed to death. His landlord allegedly targeted the boy and his mother because of their Muslim faith. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)

Hate crimes against Jewish and Muslim people are on the rise in Chicago and across the country as Americans react to the war and thousands of civilian casualties in Israel and Gaza, faith leaders warn.

Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent Israeli airstrikes escalated the conflict, people in the U.S. are seeing the effects of prejudice against both religious groups.