WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest
Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged Muslim
community leaders to consider instituting additional safety
measures in response to hate rallies by possibly armed anti-Muslim
extremists targeting mosques nationwide on October 10.
[NOTE: October 9 has also
been mentioned online as a date for the hate rallies.]
Anti-Muslim Protests Scheduled Nationwide: 'Global Rally for
Humanity' Calls On Demonstrations In Front Of Mosques Across US
Cities
http://www.ibtimes.com/anti-muslim-protests-scheduled-nationwide-global-rally-humanity-calls-demonstrations-2120625
Anti-Muslim Protests Scheduled in Front of Mosques Including
Atlanta, Huntsville, Murfreesboro
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/10/global_rally_for_humanity_anti.html
Anti-Muslim "Global Rally for Humanity" Stands in Contrast to
Events Promoting Coexistence
http://bridge.georgetown.edu/anti-muslim-global-rally-for-humanity-stands-in-contrast-to-events-promoting-coexistence/
CAIR's alert states:
"Media reports and monitoring of anti-Muslim hate sites
indicate that a small group of anti-Muslim extremists with a
history of violent rhetoric are attempting to organize hate rallies
outside a number of mosques across the nation on October 10.
"Organizers of the hate rallies have indicated that
participants in states with open carry laws may be armed and that
provocations such as the use of live pigs and Quran desecrations
may occur.
"The anti-Islam rallies come at a time of increased
hate-motivated crimes and bias incidents nationwide targeting
persons and property associated, or perceived to be associated,
with Islam and the American Muslim community.
"Many of these planned rallies may not take place, or they
may consist of only a handful of people shouting slurs at
worshipers. But given the recent endorsement of Islamophobia by
national public figures, it would only be prudent for mosque and
community leaders to prepare for any eventuality."
CAIR recommends that community leaders immediately:
1. Alert local law enforcement authorities to the possibility of
a hate rally outside the mosque and request advice about the best
way to protect worshipers against possibly armed protesters.
2. Request a stepped up police presence on October 9 (Jummah) and on October 10, the day of the nationwide hate
rallies. (For a fee, many local police departments will provide
officers to be present at a facility during services.)
3. Inform community members about the issue and urge them not to
be provoked by any hate rhetoric or actions. (Do not engage in a
debate or become angry; you do not want to escalate the
situation.)
4. Ask local elected and public officials to issue statements
condemning this campaign of religious intimidation.
5. Ask local interfaith partners, police and officials to be
present at the mosque as a show of support.
6. Prepare signs rejecting hate speech and promoting mutual
understanding and religious diversity to be used in any
counter-protest.
7. Take video of the entire hate protest. Anyone taking video of
the hate rally should not get too close to or interact with the
participants.
8. Immediately report any threatening or potentially-violent
actions by the hate rally participants to police.
9. Report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil
Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or civilrights@cair.com.
10. Consider scheduling a town hall meeting to discuss the issue
of growing Islamophobia and the need for community peace
building.
Community leaders are also being asked to implement long-term
safety measures outlined in CAIR's booklet, "Best Practices for
Mosque and Community Safety," which was published in response to
previous attacks on American mosques.
A free copy of the booklet may be requested by going to:
http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html
CAIR's safety guide states in part:
"A general framework in which to think about institutional
security falls within the following broad categories:
- Be Aware
- Assess Your Vulnerability
- Prepare and Plan
- Prevent
- Respond/Mitigate
- Recover
"This framework can be applied to all sorts of security
issues, from hate graffiti to burglary or to an active-shooter
episode. Decision-makers must decide which recommendations are best
applied to their facility. They must also decide the order in which
they will implement the process."
Other initial safety steps recommended in CAIR's guide
include:
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, in cooperation with local civil rights
advocates and attorneys, immediately coordinate meetings between
representatives of the Muslim community and local and state law
enforcement agencies. These meetings should focus on ways in which
the community can help improve security and on how authorities can
protect Muslims, Arab-Americans and other targeted minorities 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.
Build Coalitions with Interfaith and Minority Groups
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 Officials to Discuss Student
Safety
Representatives of the Muslim community should meet with local
school and school board officials 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 email, text message
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.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy
organization. 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.
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-asks-mosques-nationwide-to-take-added-safety-measures-prior-to-anti-islam-rallies-october-10-300153799.html
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)