The New York governor has instructed police forces to increase presence around houses of worship as the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Spectrum News reported.
โThis year with everything thatโs happening around the world, theyโre worried that, when Iโm praying, facing The Qibla, whatโs happening at my back?โ Trustee of the Islamic Center of Rochester Abu Islam said.
He added recent attacks on religious institutions home and abroad have members of the ICR feeling concerned.
โItโs unfortunate that weโre even discussing this,โ Islam said.
โNot only mosques, any place for worship, people want to come there for some peace, some tranquility, so they can worship their creator and when they leave become more rejuvenated.โ
This comes as Governor Andrew Cuomo directed State Police to increase their presence around houses of worship across New York ahead of the holy month of Ramadan
The Islamic center is working closely with the Brighton Police Department to ensure their worshipers can worship in peace.
โWe just want people to feel safe,โ Chief Mark Henderson, with Brighton PD, said. โWe want people to feel protected when theyโre in their house of worship.โ
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Hijri Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Qurโan to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
During Ramadan fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations.
American Muslims have been asking for more security for their mosques and Islamic centers after the attacks on mosques in New Zealand on a Friday prayer, churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, and a synagogue in California on Saturday.
Amid rising threats, mosques in Christchurch and New Zealand were considering a cancellation to the big Ramadan events due to rising fears.
Meanwhile, mosques across South Florida chose a different course by announcing that they will open their doors to welcome people of all faiths during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
In the UK, the leaders of the British Muslim community have also called on the government to provide funding for mosque security.
