Asking the Clergy: What anti-terrorist security steps are you taking?

Al-Haaj Ghazi Khankan, director, Voice of Al-Islaam information center, Long Beach:

Of course, everyone is concerned with the activities against various houses of worship. As Muslims, we depend on God almighty for protection. We also are keeping an eye on things to keep our family, our community and ourselves safe.

Some of our members are worried about a backlash that targets all Muslims out of ignorance. As a community, we are strongly against violence, but we still are associated with the violence.

Through the information center, I work and speak weekly at Islamic congregations across Nassau and Suffolk counties. We are advising all our congregants to keep a watchful eye and to pray for peace. At this time, we have not had any incidents. Our mosques on Long Island have been keeping close communication with the local police precincts. The police here in Long Beach are cognizant of our meeting times. They know our meeting schedules and may do an extra drive by during that time. Of course, our first security is with God, but parents are more comfortable bringing children to the school or to prayers with the added security.

Rabbi Glenn Jacob, Temple Am Echad, Lynbrook:

We're telling them to use common sense and don't give in to fear. We already have common sense policies in place. We're surprised at the latest events, but not panicked.

Unfortunately, what comes with the topic of terrorists in the United States is a sensationalism that is played up in the media that does nothing to address the concerns on the ground.

I'm so thankful that my congregation put together its security policies in a time of relative calm, preceding recent events and in a reasonable manner. Part of our responsibility to the community is to model appropriate behavior, not being afraid of the unknown and not overreacting to "what ifs.''

I think one of the best breeding grounds for fear and panic is isolation. One of my thrusts as a preacher is insisting my congregants reach out to neighbors, friends, others in the community, to be an active member of our community and refuse to hide in our homes.

Rabbi Rafe Konikov, Chabad of Southampton Jewish Center:

We're advising our congregation to "see something, say something." We're telling them to be vigilant and to always trust that law enforcement is doing the best that they can in this situation.

People are very much voicing concern about what is going on. We have to be careful, but we know that we have to increase our community activities and communal efforts, not decrease them. We also must have faith and trust in God.

We've always had security. We're not changing our routine, but we are doing everything to be aware of our surroundings. We have security cameras. The synagogue has had additional security the past 10 years. We don't have guards every day, but we do have additional security measures. We also encourage congregants to follow the directives of local law enforcement.

Habeeb Ahmed, chairman, Islamic Center of Long Island, Westbury:

We've had to increase security at the center. We've added two uniformed guards at our Sunday school. Parents and children are a little bit jittery. We also have children who have been picked on at school. In a few schools, some of our children had some problems with bullying. The rabbi in the neighborhood gave us the advice to contact the school system and to let the school handle it quietly.

In my opinion, you're not a Muslim if you're going to hurt innocent people randomly. The people doing this are hurting Islam and law-abiding Muslims with their actions. As Al-Quran says: If a person kills an innocent person it is as if he has killed the whole humanity, and if a person saves an innocent life it is as if he has saved the whole humanity.

The Islamic Center of Long Island is reaching out to all interfaith groups, reaching out to our brothers and sisters in solidarity. I've called some clergy to offer support and assistance. I also [want to] send a message to give to Jewish houses of worship that we'd like to come visit their temples to show support and solidarity.

It is a difficult time for practically every community. Many people do not understand Islam and/or Muslims. We want people to know "we're all a little bit different, but we can live together in peace."