Eye Security Mosques for Ramadan: NPR

The Islamic Society of Colorado Springs meets in a brick building on one floor located in a residential area. No domes or minarets. No windows at eye level either.

The president of the group, Kamel Elwazeir, said that the preparation of the weekly prayer was essential.

"We are trying to arrive early Friday, just to inspect the building from the outside and make sure everything is fine," he said. "Nothing has been burglarized or anything suspicious."

Elwazeir generally says that when he finds objects left at the door of the mosque, these are flowers or cards of solidarity or condolence, like those that flocked after the recent terrorist attacks in New Zealand.

He tries not to stay in fear. However, he says, the mosque must be careful.

As the holy month of Ramadan begins for Muslims, US mosques are preparing to celebrate recent attacks on synagogues, churches, and other places of worship that remain in their minds. They are serious about security.

"It's really disgusting, but it's part of our life," says Elwazeir. "It is part of our society that we must be prepared in case of emergency.

Elwazeir takes out his phone and opens an app connected to several surveillance cameras around the property.

"If there is something [that] triggers movements in the middle of the night or at unusual times, "he says," like that at least, we'll know. "

Some people also stayed in the mosque outside the building during prayer services, he said.

"Often, the police are present on the outside," he said. "We have other security measures, it's just, you know, not a good idea to discuss it publicly."

Security is also a concern for the Colorado Muslim Society based in Aurora, Colorado, where Iman Jodeh says he has thought a lot about security logistics. She says the attendance has declined for several weeks right after the attacks in New Zealand, but they are back now.

"Obviously, it's hard to understand everything I'm able to divulge to the public on this subject," she says. "And I must put the safety of our congregation first."

Jodeh says that people do not let recent attacks calm their enthusiasm for celebrating the holy month. "I do not think that violence or a level of threat can ever take that away from us," she says.

And yet, security is a real concern for families who worship here.

"Even as a religious community, we realize that prayer can not be our only form of defense," she says.

They partnered with law enforcement to train in security training, including active shooter training. And now they have opened them to other religious leaders.

Jay Sherwood, Rabbi of Shalom Temple in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a member of the local interdenominational council, said real tangible safety precautions were essential nowadays. But he says beyond that, ordinary people just have to start fighting for what is right.

"We live in a world filled with hate speech from our politicians and community leaders," he said. "And it's not just in Colorado or America."

"Stop when you hear a hate speech, which means that if your teacher hears it, if you hear it from your child, if you hear it from the person himself, lying next to you at the restaurant, "she says. "If we stop at least hate speech, it's a small step in the right direction."

And Sherwood says it's a direction in which all communities of faith must go.