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Arson attacks on the mosques in the US
Fire officials say
a blaze Thursday morning seriously damaged the Islamic
Education Center of Tampa, which also houses a Muslim
weekend school. Investigators say gasoline was poured on
the outside of the building and in a window. Agents from
the FBI and ATF have gathered evidence at the scene.
SEE: Mosque Burns; Arson
Suspected (St. Petersburg Times)
FOX 13 - WTVT: Tampa Mosque
Torched by Arsonists
CBS 10 - WTSP: Florida
Islamic Mosque Attacked by Arsonists
Acts of vandalism or other possible bias-related
incidents have been reported recently at mosques around
the nation. CAIR is urging Muslim institutions
nationwide to review security procedures using advice
contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit." (See
excerpts from the
safety kit below.)
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group,
has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada.
Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam,
encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower
American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote
justice and mutual understanding.
- END –
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim
Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair.com
CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed,
202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair.com
CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin,
202-488-8787, E-Mail:
arubin@cair.com
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EXCERPTS FROM CAIR MUSLIM COMMUNITY
SAFETY KIT - TOP
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Muslims must do their part to ensure the safety and
security of our nation. If anyone notes suspicious
persons or activities in their community, they should
report it immediately to the local Field Office of the
FBI. SEE:
http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm
DEVELOP A LEGAL CONTACT LIST
Develop a list of attorneys who are willing to be
consulted by the Muslim community in response to
backlash incidents. Ask Muslim attorneys to volunteer
their services to community members during this time of
crisis.
DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES
Community leaders should immediately coordinate meetings
between representatives of the Muslim community and
local, state and national law enforcement agencies.
These meetings should focus on ways in which the
community can help national security and on how
authorities can protect Muslims and Arab-Americans from
harassment and discrimination.
MEET WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY
CONCERNS
Delegations of Muslim representatives should schedule
meetings with local, state and national elected
representatives or their key staff to discuss community
concerns. To find out who represents your area on the
national level, go to:
http://www.capwiz.com/cair/home/
BUILD COALITIONS WITH INTERFAITH AND MINORITY GROUPS
Similar meetings should be coordinated with
representatives of local interfaith and minority groups.
These meetings should focus on building lines of
communication and support, and hearing from these groups
how they deal with discrimination and bigotry.
MEET WITH LOCAL SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO DISCUSS STUDENT
SAFETY
Representatives of the Muslim community should meet with
local school administrators to discuss safety plans for
students and to sensitize the administrators to
harassment of Muslim students.
BUILD AN EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST
Community leaders should develop emergency e-mail and
phone contact lists to be used in case of an incident
that threatens the community's safety. Local imams,
Islamic center board members, and Muslim activists
should be on the lists.
A second list should be developed containing contact
information for all local law enforcement agencies.
HOLD A COMMUNITY MEETING TO INFORM OTHERS OF SAFETY
GUIDELINES
Call for a meeting of the local Muslim community to
discuss the information outlined in this kit. The
meeting should take place at a local mosque or Islamic
center and should be advertised using the emergency
contact list.
ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORK
Establish a network of community members who can offer
emotional and material support to those who may be the
victims of hate crimes or discrimination. Victims should
not be left alone to deal with the negative impact of
such incidents.
REACT TO INCIDENTS OF ANTI-MUSLIM HATE
If you believe you have been the victim of an
anti-Muslim hate crime or discrimination, you should:
1. Report the incident to your local police station and
FBI office IMMEDIATELY. Ask that the incident be treated
as a hate crime. Ask witnesses to give you their name
and contact information.
2. Inform CAIR even if you believe it is a "small"
incident. Incidents may be reported online at:
http://www.cair.com/ireport/ or TEL:
202-488-8787, FAX: 202-488-0833, E-MAIL:
info@cair.com
3. Document the incident. Write down exactly what was
said and/or done by the offender. Save evidence. Take
photographs.
4. Act quickly. Each incident must be dealt with when it
happens, not when convenient.
5. Decide on the appropriate action to be taken.
Consider issuing a statement from community leaders,
holding a news conference, organizing a protest, meeting
with officials, or starting a letter writing campaign.
6. Mobilize community support. Contact CAIR and a local
mosque or organization.
7. Stay on top of the situation.
8. Announce results. When the incident is resolved, make
an announcement to the same people and organizations
originally contacted.
CAIR MOSQUE SECURITY GUIDELINES
Areas of Vulnerability:
* Mosques located in isolated areas.
* Mosques left unattended for extended periods of time.
* Mosques with unsecured doors and/or windows.
* Absence of a burglar alarm system.
* Heavy exterior vegetation (shrubs, etc.) in which
criminals may hide.
* Absence of exterior lighting.
Take the following safety measures:
* Build good relationships with neighbors of the mosque.
Invite them to visit your center.
* Try to have people attend the mosque as much as
possible. Activity deters perpetrators.
* Make an appointment with the community relations
officer of your local police department to tour your
center and make suggestions on improving mosque
security.
* Request additional police patrols in the vicinity of
your center. Special attention should be paid to times
of darkness and during prayers.
* Consider creating a security committee at your mosque.
* Post mosque members at entrances and parking areas
during prayer times.
* Report suspicious packages to police. Do not touch
them.
* Install perimeter floodlights outside the mosque.
* Install fire and burglar alarm systems.
* Replace hollow core doors with more secure solid
doors.
* Install burglarproof bars on screens and large vents.
(Note - Research local ordinances before beginning
security renovations. For example, window bars should
not limit evacuation in case of fire.)
* Trim shrubs and vines to reduce areas of concealment.
* Participate in neighborhood watch programs.
* Document descriptions of suspicious people or
vehicles.
* Make duplicates of all important papers, computer
disks and records.
* Remove potential fire hazards, such as trash and
debris.
* Consider installing security cameras.
RESPONDING TO BOMB THREATS
1. Distribute written instructions on handling bomb
threats.
2. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask
that the message be repeated. Record or write down
everything that is said.
3. Ask for the location of the bomb.
4. Inform the caller that the detonation of a bomb could
hurt many innocent people.
5. Pay attention to background noises such as music,
which may give a clue to the caller's location.
6. Listen closely to the caller's voice. Make note of
accents, voice quality (calm, excited) or speech
impediments.
7. Report the threat immediately to the local police,
ATF and FBI. Have appropriate phone numbers listed in
written instructions.
8. If the threat comes in the form of a letter, save all
materials, including the envelope. Handle the letter as
little as possible.
9. Search the interior and exterior of the mosque.
Evacuate the building if a suspicious package or device
is found.
SUSPECT LETTERS AND PACKAGES
* What to look for:
* Name and title of addressee are not accurate.
* No return address, or the sender is not known to the
addressee.
* Handwriting is distorted.
* Unprofessionally wrapped, uneven, bulky, lopsided.
* Contains bulges or soft spots.
* Poorly wrapped package is marked "Fragile-Handle With
Care," "Rush," or has unusual restrictions such as
"Personal" or "Private."
* Excess amount of postage.
* Protruding wires or tin foil.
* Package makes a buzzing or ticking noise, a sloshing
sound, or emits an odor.
What to do:
DON'T open the package or letter.
DON'T put it in water or in a confined space such as a
drawer.
DO isolate the article and secure the immediate area.
DO open windows if possible to help vent potential
explosive gases.
DO contact your local police department and Postal
Inspector. |
