Word for Word

The specifics of fear

By SHARON TUBBS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 27, 2003

Two advocacy groups for Muslim and Jewish communities released safety manuals to ward off potential threats and attacks in light of the nation's war against Iraq. Both manuals encourage building positive relations between their communities and the police. They also give specific strategies for dealing with bomb threats and other ways to protect their places of worship, schools and homes.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations released the Muslim Community Safety Kit last week. Muslims should have handy a list of lawyers who are willing to help them should the need arise, the manual says. It also tells them how to react to discrimination, bomb threats and FBI inquiries. Find the full kit at www.cair-net.org under "Action Alerts."

In February, the Anti-Defamation League updated and released Keeping Your Jewish Institution Safe. The manual coaches Jews on ways to protect their facilities and to watch new faces closely. It also tells them what to do if faced with a suicide bomber. "The likelihood of a terrorist incident flowing out of the Middle East is remote, but nevertheless, one must be prepared," said Art Teitelbaum, the ADL's southern area director in Miami. The manual can be obtained online at www.adl.org. -- SHARON TUBBS, Times staff writer

MUSLIM COMMUNITY SAFETY KIT

MEET WITH LOCAL SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO DISCUSS STUDENT SAFETY

Representatives of the Muslim community should meet with local school administrators to discuss safety plans for students and to sensitize the administrators to harassment of Muslim students.

Ask for a "zero tolerance" policy for harassment of Muslim students. An example of a letter that a school board might send to local school administrators may be found at: http://www.cair-florida.org/ViewArticle.asp?Code=PR&ArticleID=73

YOUR RIGHTS AS AN AIRLINE PASSENGER

As an airline passenger, you are entitled to courteous, respectful and non-stigmatizing treatment by airline and security personnel. You have the right to complain about treatment that you believe is discriminatory. If you believe you have been treated in a discriminatory manner, immediately:

1. Ask to speak to a supervisor.

2. Ask if you have been singled out because of your looks, dress, race, ethnicity, faith, or national origin.

3. Ask for the names and ID numbers of all persons involved in the incident.

4. Ask witnesses to give you their names and contact information.

5. Write down a statement of facts immediately after the incident. Be sure to include the flight number, the flight date, and the name of the airline.

6. Contact CAIR to file a report.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IF CONTACTED BY THE FBI

American Muslims support strong law enforcement. We also treasure civil rights. Your right to be politically active or to hold different beliefs/views is protected by the Constitution. If you are visited by the FBI, remember:

1. Never lie or provide false information to the FBI. Lying to an FBI agent is a crime.

2. You have no obligation to talk to the FBI, even if you are not a citizen. Refusing to answer questions cannot be held against you. It does not imply that you have something to hide.

3. You do not have to permit them to enter your home. FBI agents must possess a search warrant in order to enter your home. If they say they have a warrant, demand to see it before allowing them to enter. Even if they have a warrant, you are under no obligation to answer questions. ALWAYS have an attorney present when answering questions.

4. Contact CAIR and an attorney for advice.

KEEPING YOUR JEWISH INSTITUTION SAFE

Professionals and leadership should assess the risks and realities of the institution to develop a security plan, seeking professional guidance if necessary. Of course, not all institutions run the same risk, but all run some risk. Most critically, leaders must make sure that security is part of an institution culture . . .

Disturbed Individuals: One somewhat related problem is dealing with what might appear to be a disturbed individual. Only you can make a decision on how to proceed in light of given facts and circumstances.

This is a tough call. We suggest excluding from your facility any individual who you think poses a security risk. However, if you choose to admit the person to the facility pending assistance (e.g., arrival of police) it is important that the person be monitored (for example, invite the person to sit in an aisle seat). Assign an usher or employee to monitor the location of the individual and his or her actions to determine whether any additional, immediate action is necessary.

Possible Indicators of a Suicide Bomber; Behavioral Factors to Consider:

1. Nervousness, nervous glancing or other signs of mental discomfort/being ill-at-ease. This may include sweating, "tunnel vision" (staring forward inappropriately), and repeated inappropriate prayer (e.g., outside the facility) or muttering. This may also include repeated entrances and exits from the building or facility.

2. Inappropriate, oversized, loose-fitting clothes (e.g., a heavy overcoat on a warm day).

3. Keeping hands in pockets or cupping hands (as if holding a triggering device).

4. Constantly favoring one side or one area of the body as if wearing something unusual/uncomfortable (e.g., a holster or a bomb belt or vest). Pay attention to a person constantly adjusting waistbands, ankles, or other clothing. Projected angles under clothing may also be indicative of a firearm, e.g., at the waist or the ankle. Suicide bombers have been known to repeatedly pat themselves to verify that the bomb vest or belt is still attached.

5. Carrying packages.

6. Security personnel should be told, when possible, to observe people as they exit their cars; by watching how they adjust clothing and how they approach the building, looking for signs that a person might be carrying a weapon, etc. Again, many of these, especially the last, are often consistent with perfectly innocent explanations.

The most important thing is to be observant. For example, Israelis have become aware that some suicide bombers shaved off beards prior to committing their acts, thus leaving unusual facial tan lines. (In Israel, the majority of bombers have been males, 18-27.) Some also anointed themselves with scented oil, which may be obvious to someone in their vicinity.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.