Trainings, assistance offered free of charge by DHS Protective Security Advisor and by local law enforcement
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/25/19) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today urged leaders of mosques, Islamic schools and Muslim community institutions nationwide to have the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Protective Security Advisors (PSA) evaluate their institutions’ security measures and help in developing and updating emergency plans and procedures and to have active shooter and other preparedness trainings for their organizations’ members.
Community organizational leaders nationwide can email [email protected] to contact a PSA in their region that can evaluate their institutions’ security measures and help in developing and updating emergency plans and procedures relating to educational institutions. Information about the PSA program is available at https://www.dhs.gov/cisa/protective-security-advisors
Community leaders nationwide can request active shooter preparedness trainings for their organizations and members by sending an email to [email protected] More information about that program is available at https://www.dhs.gov/cisa/active-shooter-preparedness
The site also provides access to a number of department and interagency resources that support organizational development of emergency action plans, individual actions that can be taken during an incident, and recovery after an attack.
In addition to the recent terror attack on two New Zealand mosques, CAIR has noticed a number of Islamophobic incidents including some violent attacks, nationwide.
SEE: CAIR-San Diego Condemns Arson Attack on Escondido Mosque, Plans Interfaith Vigil
CAIR Welcomes Stepped-Up Security After Online Threat Targeting Maryland Mosque
CAIR-Florida Welcomes Re-Arrest of Man Who Plotted Anti-Muslim Attacks in 2002
Last week, CAIR offered a community safety webinar with two Department of Homeland Security (DHS) security experts. Webinar participants included staff and administrators from some 100 Islamic centers, mosques, Islamic schools, and other Muslim community institutions nationwide.
Video: CAIR Islamic Community Safety Webinar with DHS Officials
Resources Available to Support Faith-Based Communities
https://tinyurl.com/ResourcesforFaithBasedComm
Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places””Resource Guide
https://tinyurl.com/SecurityofSoftTargets
During the webinar, the DHS experts offered information about improving safety and answered questions from community leaders.
All of the services and resources mentioned by the DHS officials and those offered by CAIR are provided free of charge to the public.
During the webinar, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad urged community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR’s Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: https://www.cair.com/report
CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.
CAIR 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted
http://www.islamophobia.org/reports/224-2018-civil-rights-report-targeted.html
CAIR: Anti-Muslim Assaults Have Tripled Since a Decade Ago, FBI Stats Show
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/odd-fbi-case-highlights-impact-anti-muslim-bias/story?id=61761006
Video: CAIR-Arizona Calls for Stepped-Up Security After Man Arrested for Threats at Phoenix Mosque
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HecFPwxXfzA
NYPD Hate Crimes Detectives Investigating Attack on Muslim Woman in Brooklyn
The Washington-based civil rights organization is urging mosques and other Islamic institutions to take measures outlined in its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet. Advice offered in CAIR’s security publication is applicable to all institutions, regardless of organizational mission.
The booklet may be viewed at: https://tinyurl.com/BestSafetyPractices
CAIR plans to re-publish 3,000 hard copies of the booklet to send free of charge to mosques and Islamic institutions nationwide.
CAIR launched an app to share critical “know your rights” information and to simplify the process to report hate crimes and bias incidents. American Muslims and members of other minority groups are urged to download the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.
For a quick download of CAIR’s civil rights app, click here: https://www.cair.com/app
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Dr. Abbas Barzegar, [email protected]