Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Muslim leaders discuss security of local mosques after New Zealand attacks
Listen
• 1:48
The security conference in Anaheim for Islamic institutions included speakers from law enforcement, mental health and civil rights advocacy.
(
Aaron Schrank/KPCC
)
The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California hosted an emergency town hall in Anaheim over the weekend to discuss security measures for local mosques.
The council, which represents about 80 local mosques, put on the event to address trauma and safety concerns in the community following last month's mass shooting attacks on two mosques in New Zealand that left 50 dead.
"How do we handle it? How do we talk to our children about it?" said Ahmed Soboh, chair of the council. "God forbid, this could happen to any mosque in the world, especially Muslims who live as a minority in the West."
A few dozen religious leaders showed up in Anaheim on Sunday to hear from security professionals and mental health experts.
Support for LAist comes from
Taha Hassane, an imam at the Islamic Center of San Diego, said his members are scared.
"Some of them came to me literally telling me that, ‘I don’t feel safe praying anymore,’ Hassane said. "This old guy came to me and he told me, ‘Every time I stand in the mosque praying, I feel somebody’s behind me trying to harm me.'"
Yusef Miller came from Escondido in San Diego County, where last month, a fire was reported after someone tried to burn down his neighborhood mosque, and left graffiti behind referencing the attack in New Zealand.
Miller lives a few blocks from the mosque, and said the event was terrifying.
"Everybody was on extra high alert, and it brought that tragedy home as if it happened right here," Miller said.
The conversation about security is necessary, according to Edina Lekovic with the Muslim Public Affairs Council in L.A.
"It is natural for us to be thinking about security, and it is overdue," Lekovic said. "We need security guards at all mosques. Unfortunately, these are wake-up calls, and we can’t undo what was done. But we can focus on the health and well-being of our own communities."
Support for LAist comes from
Religious leaders said they’ve received bouquets of flowers, and new visitors at Friday prayers. But concerns are not going away.
Speakers at the conference urged local Islamic institutions to develop relationships with law enforcement to help stay safe.
Aaron Schrank covers religion, international affairs and the Southern California diaspora under a grant from the Luce Foundation.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist