Armed security at Hamden mosque worries worshipers

HAMDEN >> When Sayyid Abdur-Rahman visits the Abdul-Majid Karim Hasan Islamic Center, he goes to find peace and comfort. However, these days when Abudur-Rahman visits his place of worship, he feels conflicted.

That’s because armed security guards at the Islamic center are allegedly using their firearms to stand behind old ways of thinking in the place of worship.

“There’s a sickness going on with this thing,” Abdur-Rahman said.

Abdur-Rahman is a former member of the mosque’s security team and legally owns a firearm. He acknowledged that, at one point, all members of the mosque were able to bring in their firearms.

But a sign recently put up prohibits others from bringing in guns and, with some members at odds with the leadership, some members are feeling uneasy.

Saladin Hasan said he feels like a criminal in the mosque, claiming members of the security team follow him and others around to intimidate them.

“The only reason it worries me is that they’re (mosque leaders) restricting rights from others, but those who have the rights are using it to intimidate people,” Hasan said.

But Imam Abdul Majid Karim Hasan, leader of the Islamic center, had a different opinion.

“If you want to carry a gun, apply for the security team. We have to follow the rules; we’re law-abiding citizens,” Karim Hasan said.

State police Lt. J. Paul Vance said there is no law restricting people from carrying a legal firearm, even in religious settings.

But other clergy say a place of worship isn’t the place for guns.

The Rev. Richard Meadows of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in New Haven said there are many reasons a clergy person could want a security team.

“It sometimes gives clergy persons a sense of importance. I know of a few clergy persons who have been robbed,” Meadows said. “Some people actually do fear for their lives because of who they preach to and where they preach.”

As for his parish, Meadows said he wouldn’t be surprised if some parishioners carry firearms. However, he’s never felt pressured to carry one himself or to have security.

“It’s something I’m not interested in. I’ve always worked in urban settings, and I’ve been in some tight situations, but the hair never stood on the back of my neck that I’ve felt threatened enough to carry a weapon,” Meadows said.

Rabbi Herbert Brockman of Congregation Mishkan Israel said he doesn’t agree with carrying guns in his synagogue — even if they’re legal. He said if a problem presented itself he’d have to agree with the sign.

“If the issue were raised, I would concur with the sign. I would have no hesitation putting the sign up,” Brockman said.

Rabbi Michael Farbman of Temple Emanuel in Orange said he believes nobody should carry a gun in a place of worship, unless it’s a hired police officer or security guard.

Farbman and Brockman said they don’t have security teams, nor do they feel the need for them.

“If somebody feels the need for security, it should be trusted to professionals. If we have concerns of that magnitude, we should have uniformed security that can be relied on for those situations,” Farbman said.

The imam said that all nine members of the mosque’s security team went through proper certification and training.

“We’re not looking for trouble,” Karim Hasan said.

Abdul Cader Asmal, spokesman for the Islamic Council of New England, said, “Though any center affiliated with the Council has total autonomy in running its internal affairs, I can categorically state that the Council would reject out of hand that any of the centers wishing to be enlisted under its umbrella should even envisage the idea of bearing arms on its premises. If any center feels so threatened as to consider such a move, we would ask them to reject such an approach and call upon our Law Enforcement Agencies who are more than qualified and prepared to take care of all its citizens.”

The council works to provide a platform to Islamic centers and societies operating in New England for improved communication and coordination of their activities, according to its website.

In the Abdul-Majid Karim Hasan Islamic Center, where about 60 people worship, Abdur-Rahman said about half of the membership is dissatisfied with the leadership.

“It’s intermixed with those who believe in the old and new ways. But what it comes down to is right and wrong,” Abdur-Rahman said.

Abdur-Rahman’s wife, Patricia, said the security team’s actions are the opposite of what her religion is about.

“They’re (security) supposed to be protecting us and instead are trying to intimidate us,” Patricia Abdur-Rahman said.

Sayyid Abdur-Rahman said he doesn’t feel intimidated by the imam or security and will stay at the mosque to make sure things stay in line.

Vance said mosque administration has the right to keep the sign up because it’s private property.

Sign or no sign, members of the Islamic center said the “protective weapons” are intimidating.

Karim Hasan denied the accusations and said the “no guns” signs were put up because of an increase in gun violence in town and in New Haven.

“That’s not the case. That’s emphatically not true,” the imam said. “We spoke to police and asked them if this would be a violation and they said no.”

Yusuf Shah, assistant to the imam, said he’s not aware of any intimidating actions.

“I surely have not heard of anyone coming forward regarding acts of intimidations. I know the imam would never tolerate anything like that. I encourage anyone to come forward, to me particularly,” Shah said.

Asmal added, “as a general rule, Muslims ... favor gun control, and if any center in Connecticut is in fact adopting a policy of opposing this, it is doing so in violation of the general Muslim population.”

Eventually, Abdur-Rahman said he’s hoping for a transition in leadership.

“We just want to implement the bylaws of a fair and just system,” Abdur-Rahman said.

Source http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20140711/armed-security-at-hamden-mosque-worries-worshipers