(ATLANTA, GA, 3/15/2019) — On Friday, March 15th, the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia) held a press conference at an Atlanta masjid in response to a terrorist attacks on two New Zealand masajid (mosques) by an Islamophobic white supremacist.
VIDEO: Press Conference After New Zealand Attacks
During the press conference, CAIR-Georgia encouraged Georgia’s 70+ Muslim houses of worship to strengthen their security measures, and call on law enforcement to guard their local masajid during weekend prayer service.
“As a precaution, we strongly encourage Georgia’s Muslim houses of worship to review and strengthen their security measures in the coming days,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of CAIR-Georgia. “We also encourage local law enforcement agencies to send at least one patrol car to stand guard at their local masjid during Friday prayer service.”
CAIR-Georgia also plans to call on state and national political leaders to repudiate the anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim bigotry that has led to a surge in hate crimes and rightwing terrorism around the world.
In a statement, CAIR-Georgia Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“On behalf of Georgia’s Muslim community, we pray that God blesses and welcomes the souls of the innocent men, women, and children were murdered while worshipping Him. May God heal those who were injured, comforts the families of the victims, and bring those responsible for this crime to justice.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.