This Ramadan, a heightened concern for U.S. mosques: Security
With recent attacks on mosques, synagogues and churches, many houses of worship are enhancing their security procedures, including the Diyanet Center of America in Lanham, Md.
[The alleged synagogue shooter was a churchgoer who talked Christian theology, raising tough questions for evangelical pastors] Siddiqi now has a 15-to-20-person team that goes to area mosques to share tips from law enforcement, help craft a plan and find funding. Last week, he said people were trying to squeeze in assessments ahead of Ramadan. He did two during the week before the holy month and was trying to add a third.
Securing the mosque complex — a sprawling facility that includes Turkish baths, a restaurant, and 10 guest residences — is a full-time job. According to FBI hate crimes statistics, the total number of religion-based bias incidents in the U.S. has been climbing for years, with the most common targets being Jews and Muslims. In 2017, the most recent year that FBI data was available, there were 938 anti-Jewish incidents and 273 anti-Muslim incidents — both categories that have been rising in number in recent years.
A bill pending in the House would increase the fund to $75 million, said Michael Masters, chief executive of the Secure Community Network, a nonprofit created by national Jewish organizations to help Jewish institutions deal with security issues. Masters said the Jewish community initially advocated for the creation of the fund. Anecdotally, he said there is increased interest and awareness — and requests for guidance — from U.S. Muslim groups on security.
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