Extra Security At Montgomery Co Mosques After New Zealand Attacks

BETHESDA, MD — Montgomery County Police are beefing up security at area mosques after Friday's New Zealand terrorist attacks. While there is no legitimate threat to the community, local officials say they are adding extra patrols as a precautionary measure.

The department will provide extra security to mosques and is making direct contact with local Muslim leaders, Montgomery County Police Capt. C. Thomas Jordan told Patch.

"There is obviously pain and we are letting them know that we are aware of it and doing our best to prevent it from happened here," Jordan said.

At least 49 people were killed in a terrorist attack at two Christchurch, New Zealand mosques on Friday. The accused gunman opened fire inside Masjid Al Noor and the Linwood Islamic Centre, police say.

Authorities have arrested and charged an Australian national with murder. At least four people are in custody, but only three are believed to be involved in the attack.

SEE ALSO: New Zealand Attack: Increased Security At U.S. Mosques

Officials describe the accused gunman — who partially live streamed the massacre — as an extremist, saying he left behind an anti-immigrant manifesto in which he explained his reasoning.

"What has happened in Christchurch is an extraordinary act of unprecedented violence. It has no place in New Zealand," New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. "Many of those affected will be members of our migrant communities – New Zealand is their home – they are us."

Ardern said the perpetrator of the violence has no place in New Zealand.

As the world grapples with these unprecedented attacks, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has called on mosques, Islamic schools, and other community institutions to take additional security precautions, especially during communal prayer.

Mohammed Aslam — an administrator at the Islamic Center of Maryland in Gaithersburg — said Montgomery County Police have already contacted him. An officer told Aslam that officials will be stepping up security at the mosque.

"We just hope good sense prevails," Aslam said.

"People who are affected (by the terrorist attack) — how long is it going to take for them to get back to normal life? It is a very difficult situation, Aslam added. "We try to do the best we can, be good to our neighbors, regardless of who they may be. We just hope and pray these incidents don't repeat themselves."

Maryland politicians joined religious leaders and law enforcement officials to condemn the attacks.

"It makes me sick to my stomach to think that we live in a world where 49 people, including several young children, can be shot to death while peacefully praying," Sen. Chris Van Hollen said. "The gruesome terrorist attack in New Zealand is not an isolated incident — the rise of Islamophobia and white supremacy must be met with strong determination to combat hate wherever it rears its ugly head. My heart goes out to New Zealand and the Muslim community during this difficult time."

On Twitter, Sen. Ben Cardin said people cannot allow hate and violence "continue to poison our world and define this generation."

No one should ever fear for their life because of their faith. Compassion, freedom, and love for thy neighbor must win out over hate and xenophobia. #NewZealand https://t.co/5YzRlIjdYe
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) March 15, 2019