Rattled by hate incidents here and abroad, Minnesota Muslims take new precautions

At his south Minneapolis mosque, Imam Sa’ad Roble has expanded his sermons lately with a new message: Don’t idle outside the building after midnight prayers. Don’t walk alone after dark. Know who you can call in a crisis.

Roble’s admonition is just one sign of the extraordinary new precautions Minnesota Muslims are taking as they react to a string of disturbing recent incidents, including this month’s deadly attack outside a London mosque and the Portland, Ore., stabbing of two men who came to the defense of a Muslim woman.

Across the Twin Cities, other imams report depressed attendance at prayer services, and federal law enforcement authorities are ramping up outreach efforts to the Somali community. Basim Sabri, landlord of the Karmel Mall, where Roble’s mosque is located, has hired extra security guards.

“I have never in my life increased the amount of security personnel like we have now,” Sabri said. “We’re concerned, and we’re taking extra measures to ensure safety in our community.”

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/rattled-by-hate-incidents-here-and-abroad-minnesota-muslims-take-new-precautions/430584913/