Assalaam-o-Alaikum Greetings!
Forty Nine (49) dead and over 50 injured. This is the headline from the worst mass shooting and terrorist incident in New Zealand. The victims were ordinary believers attending the masjid with family and community.
It is with a heavy heart that we all make dua for these martyrs and their families. We pray for the community of Christchurch and its leadership and law enforcement to prosecute the perpetrators of this crime against humanity and to prevent further acts of violence.
The perpetrator of this crime was drenched with hatred toward Muslims and immigrants and had no remorse as he shot people trying to flee and simply protect themselves. His anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant ideology of white supremacy was shaped by ideologies of hate that has unfortunately become widespread in our societies. This is not limited to the small corners of social media but has become manifested in the corridors of government officials and elected officials who use anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment to sow fear among ordinary people.
This is a trying time for all houses of worship. Last year, the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg was the scene of a massacre and now a masjid on the holy day of Jumuah. Hence, all masajid and Islamic centers leaders should demonstrate vigilance and provide extra security today. Every center or organization should evaluate security risks and develop remedies to minimize or eliminate those risks.
Every center should install a digital video camera system that is visible, and which provides useful information, and acts as a deterrent against anyone who may wish to do harm.
Strangers and suspicious individual should be monitored and questioned before walking into facilities to make sure they pose no threats. Many masajid leave buildings unlocked for night or fajr prayers. This is a dangerous practice and should be eliminated.
Congregants should be educated about potential threats and how to report suspicious activities. Invite your local law enforcement and fire department for presentations about safety and how to deal with emergency situations. Large gatherings should have police presence. The masjid or center should have a security team assembled for Friday prayers, Eids and large gatherings.
We live in unsecure times. Those who wish to do harm will look for places that are easy targets with minimum security and a very lax attitude. Make sure your center is secure. The families in your community depend upon it.
Be safe everyone! May Allah protect and forgive us all.
March 15, 2019
The North American Islamic Trust