COMMUNITY ADVISORY: Reports of Increased Harassment Targeting New Jersey Mosques
(07/17/26 — NEWARK, NJ) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) is advising mosques, Islamic centers and other Muslim-identifying institutions across New Jersey to be vigilant amid an increase in reported harassment.
In recent days, four different mosques in New Jersey have reported targeted harassment to CAIR-NJ – including phone calls, hate mail, and physical intimidation. Just this morning, we were alerted by authorities to 6 additional mosques receiving targeted harassment.
If you or your mosque has been subject to any anti-Muslim harassment, big or small, report it to CAIR-NJ and immediately file a police report. If the caller has a 551 area code, please note that in your report.
SEE: CAIR’s Muslim Community Safety Kit
Best practices for mosque security:
- Build good relationships with neighbors of the mosque. Invite them to visit your center.
- Try to have people attend the mosque as much as possible. Activity deters perpetrators.
- Make an appointment with the community relations officer of your local police department to tour your center and make suggestions on improving mosque security.
- Request additional police patrols in the vicinity of your center. Special attention should be paid to times of darkness and during prayers.
- Consider creating a security committee at your mosque.
- Post mosque members at entrances and parking areas during prayer times.
- Report suspicious packages to police. Do not touch them.
- Install perimeter floodlights outside the mosque.
- Install fire and burglar alarm systems.
- Replace hollow core doors with more secure solid doors.
- Install burglarproof bars on screens and large vents. (Note – Research local ordinances before beginning security renovations. For example, window bars should not limit evacuation in case of fire.)
- Trim shrubs and vines to reduce areas of concealment.
- Participate in neighborhood watch programs.
- Document descriptions of suspicious people or vehicles.
- Make duplicates of all important papers, computer disks and records.
- Remove potential fire hazards, such as trash and debris.
- Consider installing security cameras.
Responding to bomb threats
- Distribute written instructions on handling bomb threats.
- Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask that the message be repeated. Record or write down everything that is said.
- Ask for the location of the bomb.
- Inform the caller that the detonation of a bomb could hurt many innocent people.
- Pay attention to background noises such as music, which may give a clue to the caller’s location.
- Listen closely to the caller’s voice. Make note of accents, voice quality (calm, excited) or speech impediments.
- Report the threat immediately to the local police, ATF and FBI. Have appropriate phone numbers listed in written instructions.
- If the threat comes in the form of a letter, save all materials, including the envelope. Handle the letter as little as possible.
- Search the interior and exterior of the mosque. Evacuate the building if a suspicious package or device is found.
Suspect letters and packages
What to look for:
- Name and title of addressee are not accurate.
- No return address, or the sender is not known to the addressee.
- Handwriting is distorted.
- Unprofessionally wrapped, uneven, bulky, lopsided.
- Contains bulges or soft spots.
- Poorly wrapped package is marked “Fragile: Handle With Care,” “Rush,” or has unusual restrictions such as “Personal” or “Private.”
- Excess amount of postage.
- Protruding wires or tin foil.
- Package makes a buzzing or ticking noise, a sloshing sound, or emits an odor.
What to do:
- DON’T open the package or letter.
- DON’T put it in water or in a confined space such as a drawer.
- DO isolate the article and secure the immediate area.
- DO open windows if possible to help vent potential explosive gases.
- DO contact your local police department and postal inspector.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
