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Wednesday 02 Dec 2015 - 11:01 Makkah mean time-20-2-1437
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Harford, Maryland (IINA) - The US Muslim community in Harford County are wary in light of a new upswing in anti-Muslim talk and threats after the Nov. 13 terror attacks in France, The Baltimore Sun reported.
"We are concerned. We are watching the situation very closely, because after Paris attacks, the anti-Muslim rhetoric is raised ever higher," Dr. Rehan Khan, president of Mosque Al Falaah, in Abingdon, said last week.
The mosque has not requested extra police patrols after the French rampage, in which IS claimed responsibility for killing 130 people.
Khan said he did consult with the Harford county sheriff's office after a group called “Global Rally for Humanity” urged people to protest at mosques nationwide in early October.
Khan noted that the Sheriff's office told him he did not know of any specific threats locally in connection with that event.
With politicians railing against Islam and even calling for measures like a Muslim database, Khan said some believe the danger to local Muslims is even higher now than it was after 9/11 terror attacks, which were likewise followed by threats and violence against Muslims and Sikhs, who are often mistaken for Muslims.
The United Maryland Muslim Council (UMMC) has asked local law enforcement authorities to step up vigilance in light of the rhetoric, President Rizwan Siddiqi said via email.
"We are seriously concerned about the backlash and anti-Muslim sentiments growing in the general public due to the acts of ISIS and the negative propaganda by the media," Siddiqi said. "We have reached out to the local authorities to make sure that our mosques and places of worship are protected and are safe to be used by the Muslims for prayers and to perform other services."
"Additionally, we have been working with our community members and advising them to be vigilant and keep an eye on anyone who may create any disturbance. We as Muslims believe that ISIS and similar groups will be exposed soon and American public will realize the situation. Muslims are law-abiding, peace-loving and hard-working citizens like anyone else and will work with other fellow Americans to get over this fear."
The UMMC condemned ISIS and asked all imams to condemn the "heinous act of terrorism" in France, according to a statement the group issued.
Muslims were asked "to follow the developments closely and stay alert and vigilant against any possible backlash against the Muslims in the U.S.," the statement added.
SM/IINA
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