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Mar 18, 2003, 2:02 AM
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CAIR MUSLIM COMMUNITY SAFETY KIT
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CAIR MUSLIM COMMUNITY SAFETY KIT
Step-by-step guide to community safety if America attacks Iraq
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/17/03) - As it becomes increasingly clear that America
will attack Iraq in the next few days, CAIR has put together a "Muslim
Community Safety Kit" for Muslims, Arab-Americans and those perceived to be
"Middle Eastern" who may be targeted by religious or ethnic profiling or
bias-related hate crimes. According to the FBI: "A U.S. war with Iraq or
another terrorist attack could trigger a wave of hate crimes against
Muslims and Arab-Americans in the United States." (Associated Press, 3/12/03)
Dear Imam, activist, community leader, brother or sister:
As-salaamu alaykum. Peace be to you. This "Muslim Community Safety Kit" has
been developed to assist you and your community in the event of a war
against Iraq and any resulting anti-Muslim backlash. The 9-page kit is
designed to better equip you with the knowledge necessary to protect
against anti-Muslim or anti-Arab bigotry or attacks, and to secure your
basic legal rights. Below are suggestions for pro-active steps you can take.
HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE KIT:
1. Read this kit carefully.
2. Circulate to your friends and family.
3. Photocopy relevant portions and post in your local mosque, Islamic
center or organization.
4. Contact CAIR if you have any questions, or if you do not understand any
part of this kit.
MUSLIM COMMUNITY SAFETY KIT TABLE OF CONTENTS:
* Report Suspicious Activity in Your Community
* Develop a Legal Contact List
* Developing Positive Relationships with Law Enforcement Agencies
* Meet with Elected Representatives to Discuss Community Concerns
* Building Coalitions with Interfaith and Minority Groups
* Meet with Local School Principals to Discuss Student Safety
* Building an Emergency Contact List
* Hold a Community Meeting to Inform Others of Safety Guidelines
* Build a Community Support Network
* Reacting to Incidents of Anti-Muslim Hate
* Reacting to Acts of Discrimination
* Your Rights as an Employee
* Your Rights as an Airline Passenger
* Your Rights as a Student
* Mosque Safety Guidelines
* Responding to Bomb Threats
* Bomb Threat Check List
* Suspect Letters and Packages
* Know Your Rights if Contacted by the FBI
* CAIR Local Chapters
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Muslims must do their part to ensure the safety and security of our nation.
If anyone notes suspicious persons or activities in their community, they
should report it immediately to the local Field Office of the FBI. SEE:
http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm
DEVELOP A LEGAL CONTACT LIST
Develop a list of attorneys who are willing to be consulted by the Muslim
community in response to backlash incidents. Ask Muslim attorneys to
volunteer their services to community members during this time of crisis.
DEVELOPING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Community leaders should immediately coordinate meetings between
representatives of the Muslim community and local state and national law
enforcement agencies. These meetings should focus on ways in which the
community can help national security and on how authorities can protect
Muslims and Arab-Americans from harassment and discrimination.
MEET WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Delegations of Muslim representatives should schedule meetings with local,
state and national elected representatives or their key staff to discuss
community concerns. To find out who represents your area on the national
level, go to: http://www.capwiz.com/cair/home/
BUILDING COALITIONS WITH INTERFAITH AND MINORITY GROUPS
Similar meetings should be coordinated with representatives of local
interfaith and minority groups. These meetings should focus on building
lines of communication and support, and hearing from these groups how they
deal with discrimination and bigotry.
MEET WITH LOCAL SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO DISCUSS STUDENT SAFETY
Representatives of the Muslim community should meet with local school
administrators to discuss safety plans for students and to sensitize the
administrators to harassment of Muslim students.
Ask for a "zero tolerance" policy for harassment of Muslim students. An
example of a letter that a school board might send to local school
administrators may be found at:
http://www.cair-florida.org/ViewArticle.asp?Code=PR&ArticleID=73
Obtain copies of CAIR's "Educator's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices"
by contacting CAIR or e-mailing: publications@cair-net.org
BUILDING AN EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST
Community leaders should develop emergency e-mail and phone contact lists
to be used in case of an incident that threatens the community's safety.
Local imams, Islamic center board members, and Muslim activists should be
on the lists.
A second list should be developed containing contact information for all
local law enforcement agencies.
HOLD A COMMUNITY MEETING TO INFORM OTHERS OF SAFETY GUIDELINES
Call for a meeting of the local Muslim community to discuss the information
outlined in this kit. The meeting should take place at a local mosque or
Islamic center and should be advertised using the emergency contact list.
ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORK
Establish a network of community members who can offer emotional and
material support to those who may be the victims of hate crimes or
discrimination. Victims should not be left alone to deal with the negative
impact of such incidents.
REACTING TO INCIDENTS OF ANTI-MUSLIM HATE
If you believe you have been the victim of an anti-Muslim hate crime or
discrimination, you should:
1. Report the incident to your local police station and FBI office
IMMEDIATELY. Ask that the incident be treated as a hate crime. Ask
witnesses to give you their name and contact information.
2. Inform CAIR even if you believe it is a "small" incident. Incidents may
be reported online at: http://www.cair-net.org/ireport/ or TEL:
202-488-8787, FAX: 202-488-0833, E-MAIL: cair@cair-net.org
3. Document the incident. Write down exactly what was said and/or done by
the offender. Save evidence. Take photographs.
4. Act quickly. Each incident must be dealt with when it happens, not when
convenient.
5. Decide on the appropriate action to be taken. Consider issuing a
statement from community leaders, holding a news conference, organizing a
protest, meeting with officials, or starting a letter writing campaign.
6. Mobilize community support. Contact CAIR and a local mosque or organization.
7. Stay on top of the situation.
8. Announce results. When the incident is resolved, make an announcement to
the same people and organizations originally contacted.
REACTING TO ACTS OF DISCRIMINATION
1. Remain calm.
2. Report the discrimination to the appropriate authorities and to CAIR.
3. Document the discrimination. Save memos. Keep a detailed journal. Note
the presence of witnesses. Keep copies of all correspondence. Create a
"paper trail."
4. Ask witnesses to give you their name and contact information.
5. Consider contacting a lawyer.
Take steps to increase security of your local mosque, Islamic center or school.
YOUR RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE
Federal law makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against an
employee on the basis of religion, race, or national origin. Title VII of
the 1964 Civil Rights Act guarantees your right to:
1) Reasonable religious accommodation. The failure of an employer to
reasonably accommodate your religious practices constitutes discrimination.
"Religious practices" includes wearing a beard, hijab, prayer on the job,
and going to Jumah prayer.
2) Fairness in hiring, firing, and promotions. Your employer is prohibited
from considering religion when making decisions affecting your employment
status.
3) A non-hostile work environment. Your employer must ensure that you are
not subjected to anti-Muslim insults, harassment or unwelcome, excessive
proselytizing.
4) Complain about discrimination without fear of retaliation. Federal law
guarantees your right to report an act of alleged discrimination. It is
illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for your complaint.
WHEN FACED WITH DISCRIMINATION ON THE JOB
1) Remain calm.
2) Inform the offending party that you believe his/her actions are
discriminatory.
3) Report the discriminatory action in writing to company management.
4) Begin documenting the discrimination by saving memos, keeping a detailed
journal, noting the presence of witnesses, and making written complaints
(keep copies). Create a "paper trail."
5) Contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and local
county or state civil rights agencies to educate yourself about legal options.
6) Contact an attorney to discuss your case.
7) DO NOT sign any documents or resign without an attorney's advice.
8) Ask to be transferred to another department or job site.
9) Ask for mediation.
10) Contact CAIR to file a report.
YOUR RIGHTS AS AN AIRLINE PASSENGER
As an airline passenger, you are entitled to courteous, respectful and
non-stigmatizing treatment by airline and security personnel. You have the
right to complain about treatment that you believe is discriminatory. If
you believe you have been treated in a discriminatory manner, immediately:
1) Ask to speak to a supervisor.
2) Ask if you have been singled out because of your looks, dress, race,
ethnicity, faith, or national origin.
3) Ask for the names and ID numbers of all persons involved in the incident.
4) Ask witnesses to give you their names and contact information.
5) Write down a statement of facts immediately after the incident. Be sure
to include the flight number, the flight date, and the name of the airline.
6) Contact CAIR to file a report.
YOUR RIGHTS AS A STUDENT
1. You have the right to inform others about your religion. You have the
right to pass out literature or speak to others about Islam, as long as it
is not done in a disruptive manner.
2. You have the right to wear religious clothing. You also have the right
to wear clothing with a religious message, as long as other clothes with
messages are allowed.
3. You have the right to organize student-led prayer on campus, as long as
the service is not disruptive.
4. You may have the right to attend Friday prayer. The Supreme Court has
upheld the right of states to allow students "release time" to attend
religious classes or services.
5. You have the right to be excused from school for religious holidays. You
should inform the school that you will be absent.
6. You have the right to be excused from class discussions or activities
that you find religiously objectionable.
7. You have the right to form an extracurricular Muslim student group.
CAIR MOSQUE SECURITY GUIDELINES
Areas of Vulnerability:
* Mosques located in isolated areas.
* Mosques left unattended for extended periods of time.
* Mosques with unsecured doors and/or windows.
* Absence of a burglar alarm system.
* Heavy exterior vegetation (shrubs, etc.) in which criminals may hide.
* Absence of exterior lighting.
Take the following safety measures:
* Build good relationships with neighbors of the mosque. Invite them to
visit your center.
* Try to have people attend the mosque as much as possible. Activity deters
perpetrators.
* Make an appointment with the community relations officer of your local
police department to tour your center and make suggestions on improving
mosque security.
* Request additional police patrols in the vicinity of your center. Special
attention should be paid to times of darkness and during prayers.
* Consider creating a security committee at your mosque.
* Post mosque members at entrances and parking areas during prayer times.
* Report suspicious packages to police. Do not touch them.
* Install perimeter floodlights outside the mosque.
* Install fire and burglar alarm systems.
* Replace hollow core doors with more secure solid doors.
* Install burglarproof bars on screens and large vents. (Note - Research
local ordinances before beginning security renovations. For example, window
bars should not limit evacuation in case of fire.)
* Trim shrubs and vines to reduce areas of concealment.
* Participate in neighborhood watch programs.
* Document descriptions of suspicious people or vehicles.
* Make duplicates of all important papers, computer disks and records.
* Remove potential fire hazards, such as trash and debris.
* Consider installing security cameras.
RESPONDING TO BOMB THREATS
1. Distribute written instructions on handling bomb threats.
2. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask that the message be
repeated. Record or write down everything that is said.
3. Ask for the location of the bomb.
4. Inform the caller that the detonation of a bomb could hurt many innocent
people.
5. Pay attention to background noises such as music, which may give a clue
to the caller's location.
6. Listen closely to the caller's voice. Make note of accents, voice
quality (calm, excited) or speech impediments.
7. Report the threat immediately to the local police, ATF and FBI. Have
appropriate phone numbers listed in written instructions.
8. If the threat comes in the form of a letter, save all materials,
including the envelope. Handle the letter as little as possible.
9. Search the interior and exterior of the mosque. Evacuate the building if
a suspicious package or device is found.
Cautionary Notes
A. Do not approach or challenge a suspicious person or vehicle.
B. Do not pursue vehicles or suspects.
C. Observe and report. You have no police powers.
D. Conduct watch patrols in pairs.
E. Conduct watches in a random fashion.
BOMB THREAT CHECK LIST (Keep near phone in case of threatening calls.)
Time of call:
Date:
Exact words of caller:
Person receiving call:
Call Reported to:
Questions to Ask
When is the bomb going to explode?
Where is the bomb?
What kind of bomb is it?
What will cause it to explode?
Why did you place the bomb?
What is your name?
Caller's Voice
adult male female child
calm disguised nasal angry stutter
slow sincere lisp rapid giggling
deep crying loud squeaky excited
stressed accent slurred normal
What were the background noises, if any?
SUSPECT LETTERS AND PACKAGES
* What to look for:
* Name and title of addressee are not accurate.
* No return address, or the sender is not known to the addressee.
* Handwriting is distorted.
* Unprofessionally wrapped, uneven, bulky, lopsided.
* Contains bulges or soft spots.
* Poorly wrapped package is marked "Fragile-Handle With Care," "Rush," or
has unusual restrictions such as "Personal" or "Private."
* Excess amount of postage.
* Protruding wires or tin foil.
* Package makes a buzzing or ticking noise, a sloshing sound, or emits an odor.
What to do:
DON'T open the package or letter.
DON'T put it in water or in a confined space such as a drawer.
DO isolate the article and secure the immediate area.
DO open windows if possible to help vent potential explosive gases.
DO contact your local police department and Postal Inspector.
Suspect Description
Sex:
Race:
Age:
Height:
Weight:
Hair:
Glasses:
Complexion:
Scars/Marks/Tattoos:
Hat:
Clothing:
Shoes:
Auto type:
Auto color:
Auto license:
Direction of travel:
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IF CONTACTED BY THE FBI
American Muslims support strong law enforcement. We also treasure civil
rights. Your right to be politically active or to hold different
beliefs/views is protected by the Constitution. If you are visited by the
FBI, remember:
1. Never lie or provide false information to the FBI. Lying to an FBI
agent is a crime.
2. You have no obligation to talk to the FBI, even if you are not a
citizen. Refusing to answer questions cannot be held against you. It does
not imply that you have something to hide.
3. You do not have to permit them to enter your home. FBI agents must
possess a search warrant in order to enter your home. If they say they have
a warrant, demand to see it before allowing them to enter. Even if they
have a warrant, you are under no obligation to answer questions. ALWAYS
have an attorney present when answering questions.
4. Contact CAIR and an attorney for advice.
CAIR LOCAL CHAPTERS
CAIR National, (202) 488-8787
E-Mail: cair@cair-net.org
CAIR Arizona, (602) 262-2247
E-Mail: director@cairaz.org
CAIR N. California, (408) 986-9874
E-Mail: cair_nca@cair-california.org
CAIR S. California, (714) 776-1847
E-Mail: cair_sca@cair-california.org
CAIR Canada, (613) 254-9704
E-Mail: Canada@cair-net.org
CAIR Florida, (954) 797-7493
E-Mail: florida@cair-net.org
CAIR Atlanta, (770) 220-0082
E-Mail: cair@cair-northgeorgia.org
CAIR Chicago, (312) 922-4720
E-Mail: omh@cairchicago.org
CAIR Maryland, (301) 657-1850
E-Mail: md@cairmd.org
CAIR Michigan, (248) 569-2203
E-Mail: cair@cairmichigan.org
CAIR Minnesota, (612) 581-2101
E-Mail: cair@cairminnesota.org
CAIR St. Louis, (314) 331-0344
E-Mail: admin@cair-stl.org
CAIR New Jersey, (877) 875-0826
E-Mail: cair@cair-nj.org
CAIR New York, (212) 870-2002
E-Mail: cair-ny@cair-ny.com
CAIR Ohio, (614) 451-3232
E-Mail: ohio@cair-net.org
CAIR Central Pennsylvania, (717) 730-4400
E-Mail: cair-centralpa@cair-net.org
CAIR S. Carolina
E-Mail: cair-sc@cair-sc.org
CAIR Austin, (512) 577-2247
E-Mail: info@cair-austin.org
CAIR Dallas, (972) 462-9630
E-Mail: info@cairdfw.org
CAIR Houston, (713) 838-2247
E-Mail: cair@cairhouston.org
CAIR Seattle, (425) 580-6340
E-Mail: cair@cair-seattle.org
Sincerely,
Abdoulrahman
Muslims Internet Directory Manager
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Web: http://www.2muslims.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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