U.S. Mosques Urged to Apply for DHS Security Grants

(HOLLYWOOD, CA - 5/01/14) -- With the deadline fast approaching, Muslim News Magazine and other prominent American Islamic organizations are urging mosques and Muslim institutions nationwide to consider applying for funds available through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).

The program is designed to assist nonprofit organizations that are vulnerable to attacks.

Grant monies can be used for procuring and installing security equipment to enhance safety. The NSGP application process opened March 18, 2014, and may be found on the FEMA website. The deadline for submitting the application is May 23, 2014 11:59 p.m. EDT.

See: Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)
Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Frequently Asked Questions

If you represent a Muslim non-profit organization, consider applying for a grant through the NSGP by May 23, 2014.

Some key examples of mosque safety issues:

In March, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Chicago called for an FBI hate crime investigation after a bullet was reportedly fired at the dome of the Prayer Center of Orland Park (OPPC) in Orland Park, Ill. CAIR recently called for a similar FBI probe into a shooting targeting a Mississippi mosque.

In February, the FBI was asked to investigate apparently bias-motivated incidents targeting a mosque in Bothell, Washington.

In Sacramento Valley, state and federal law enforcement authorities were asked to investigate vandalism of a California mosque as a possible hate crime.

In December, CAIR urged a hate crime probe of graffiti sprayed on the Islamic Society of Appalachian Region near Princeton, W.Va. The graffiti spray-painted on the mosque and its sign made obscene references to "Allah," the Arabic word for God.

Last year, a suspect was arrested in the case of a Joplin, Mo., mosque targeted by arson in 2012.

In response to previous attacks on American mosques, CAIR has published a booklet called "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" designed to be used by mosque officials, Muslim school administrators and other community leaders and activists who seek to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities to bias-motivated attacks.

To request a free e-copy of CAIR's "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety," go to: http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html