Asalamu Alaikum, Dear Community Members,An attacker opened fire on a Quebec City mosque last night killing six people and injuring eight others. One man is being held as a suspect and another as a witness. We condemn this heinous and tragic atrocity and offer our sincere prayers and condolences to the victims and their families.
In Texas, The Islamic Center of Victoria was destroyed by fire early Saturday. Victoria police and fire departments are coordinating with the FBI as well as other agencies to determine the cause of the fire.
These incidents come in the wake of Trump’s ban on immigrants and refugees originating from seven majority-Muslim Middle Eastern and African countries, which as of Saturday was halted by a federal judge, due to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Although there is a stay on the executive order, CIOGC recommends that those affected seek the counsel of immigration attorneys as outlined in our alert for foreign nationals published last Friday.
CIOGC urges community members to safeguard your masajid (mosques) and institutions against anti-Muslim violence or vandalism by:
- remaining vigilant
- increasing security at their mosques and institutions
- informing local police of suspicious activity
- reporting any hate crimes or acts of discrimination to the FBI
- reporting hate crimes and discrimination to the Cook Country Sheriff’s Department hotline: 773-674-4357 (if applicable)
Please keep in mind that these precautionary measures are only basic steps towards ensuring the safety and security of our institutions. CIOGC encourages the community to pursue long-term expertise and security professionals to safeguard your masajid and organizations.
CIOGC also encourages our member organizations to increase security awareness by sharing safety protocols with your respective congregations, conducting drills, and developing and regularly updating your security plans. Local imams are currently meeting to address security concerns.