On May 21, CAIR-Northern Ohio hosted a virtual safety and security workshop for mosque and Islamic school leadership in response to the terrorist attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, which took the lives of three worshippers on May 18th.
CAIR-Ohio’s Executive Director, Faten Husni Odeh, stated,
“We are devastated at the tragedy that occurred at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad should be honored as heroes for their actions in trying to protect the worshippers and students. No one should have to feel unsafe at their places of worship and schools.”
An in-person safety and security workshop was being scheduled in response to another incident that was stopped by federal law enforcement in March where a Medina man was arrested for planning an attack at the Columbia Station Mosque during Ramadan.
Odeh stated,
“With Friday prayer and Eid Al-Adha celebrations around the corner, we wanted to make sure our community was reminded of how to keep their congregations safe. My team worked around the clock to put this program together and we will continue to work closely with mosque and Islamic school leaders to ensure that there are no hesitations or barriers in doing what needs to be done for worshippers, students and teachers in our community to feel comfortable in our spaces.”
The presentation included guest speaker, Mohammad Daoud, a Marine Corps veteran and graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in security and intelligence with more than a decade of experience in security. Daoud is also the owner of a security company, Lux Vitae.
Daoud stated,
“In this day and age, we are at a point where we can’t continue to exercise our welcoming nature without caution. I was honored to be a part of the safety and security workshop for our community leaders.”
The workshop was attended by more than twenty leaders from across the state.
Odeh stated,
“We encourage community leaders to read the Best Practices for Community Safety Guide, published by CAIR National and to know we will continue to be a resource for our community.”
Attendees were encouraged to register to vote and make informed decisions when electing public officials.
Odeh stated,
“Our elected public officials have a duty to all of their constituents and spreading anti-Muslim hate with their rhetoric and harmful legislations is deadly. Our elected public officials should be held accountable, and if not by law then at the polls.”
CONTACT: CAIR-OH Executive Director, Northern Ohio, Faten Odeh
(216) 440-2247, [email protected]