The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today applauded both mosque leaders at the Diyanet Center of America in Lanham, Maryland, and local law enforcement authorities for their swift action to apprehend and remove a suspect who briefly disrupted Sunday morning’s Eid prayers.
CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is encouraging vigilance and asks anyone who observes suspicious activity at any mosque to promptly report it to law enforcement and mosque officials. The Maryland office of CAIR is coordinating with the Prince George’s County Police Department to seek appropriate safety measures.
The individual, a male carrying an American flag, reportedly entered the courtyard filled with worshipers and made comments and behaved in an erratic manner that caused some community members to feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
“Mosques are sanctuaries that deserve to be protected,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “The Diyanet leadership’s swift response to Sunday’s incident demonstrated preparedness and competence that is especially necessary in this climate of unprecedented Islamophobia. Our office is available to lend our support to help you worship safely without fear and intimidation.”
She noted that earlier this year, CAIR released new civil rights data showing that it has received 3,578 complaints during the last three months of 2023 amid an ongoing wave of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate.
Chaudry urged houses of worship to utilize CAIR’s Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety guide, which contains security advice applicable to institutions of all faiths.
Diyanet Center of America released a statement that read in part:
“A brief disruption occurred in the courtyard when an unknown white male caused a commotion within our sacred space. We want to reassure you that the situation was swiftly handled by mosque leaders and law enforcement, and the individual in question was promptly and peacefully removed from the premises.
“In times like these, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and united in protecting the sanctity of our mosque and the safety of all worshippers. We urge you to remain calm and steadfast in the face of such disturbances, as our unity and resilience will prevail over any attempts to sow discord or fear.
“Diyanet Center of America is committed to your safety and well-being. As always, we encourage you to remain vigilant regardless of your surroundings and to promptly report any suspicious behavior, threats, or incidents to the authorities and the mosque leadership.
“Our strength lies in our unity and our ability to stand together as a community, supporting one another in times of need. This incident only reaffirms our commitment to faith, understanding, and solidarity within our mosque and beyond.”
SEE: Incident Statement on Eid al-Adha Prayer 2024
Mosques can contact CAIR to coordinate a security assessment of their property, schedule active shooter trainings and hold community safety workshops.
SEE: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit
Basic guidelines and tips to enhance community safety and promote situational awareness:
1. Stay Alert and Observant. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to people, vehicles, and activities in your vicinity.
2.Know Your Community. Familiarize yourself with the people, businesses, and common activities in your community.
3. Stay Connected. Communication and collaboration are key to promoting safety and well-being.
4.Emergency Preparedness. Have a plan for different scenarios, such as natural disasters, fires, or security threats.
5. Report Suspicious Activity. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, report it to the authorities and mosque officials.
6. Stay Informed. Keep a pulse on local news, events, and safety alerts.
7. Practice Situational Awareness. Assess your surroundings, identify potential threats, and plan your responses. Take action if you feel unsafe.
8. Secure Your Property. Keep your belongings with you when possible.
Yesterday, CAIR condemned racist vandalism targeted Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Racist ‘KKK’ Vandalism of Campaign Sign in Maryland
Hateful vandalism appears on a sign for Md. Senate nominee Alsobrooks – Washington Post
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kim Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com