At a news conference inside Sanders’ mosque Friday, the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations called on local police to send patrol cars out to guard local Muslim houses of worship. Atlanta and Gwinnett County police confirmed they would help.

“We have our officers conducting directed patrols around city mosques and asking them to be on heightened alert for suspicious activity,” Atlanta police spokesman Carlos Campos said. “Additionally, our Homeland Security Unit is monitoring the events out of New Zealand.”

Imam Furqan Muhammad leads a prayer following a press conference at the Masjid Al-Mu'minun mosque in Atlanta's Peoplestown neighborhood, Friday, March 15, 2019. The press conference was called as a result of the mass shooting that killed 49 people worshipping at a mosque in New Zealand. Members of local metro Atlanta mosques and other faith organizations came to together to condemn the actions of the shooter and encourage other houses of worship to instate more security. Credit: Alyssa Pointer Credit: Alyssa Pointer

Gwinnett police responded similarly.

“In response to the incident in New Zealand, we have increased patrols at all mosques in Gwinnett County,” said Cpl. Michele Pihera, a Gwinnett police spokeswoman. “We hope to bring some measure of comfort to those who visit these places of worship during this difficult time.”

Since 2005, there has been a rise in anti-mosque incidents, including acts of vandalism, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. In Georgia, for example, there have been nearly a dozen incidents.

In the summer of 2017, for instance, a man made several threatening phone calls to the Islamic Society of Augusta, including threats to blow up the mosque and hurt members. The man later pleaded guilty.

Centers of faith are by nature open and welcoming to anyone who wants to visit, and that makes them vulnerable, said Glen Evans, president of ChurchSecurityTrainer.com in Dayton, Ohio, which advises faith leaders on how to protect their members.

“Most people who want to cause harm understand this about the faith community,” Evans said. “They all share one common footprint — they were generally welcoming places with generally nonviolent people. It’s what we call a soft target.”

Executive director of CAIR Georgia, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, (center) speaks during a press conference at the Masjid Al-Mu'minun mosque in Atlanta's Peoplestown neighborhood, Friday, March 15, 2019. Credit: Bob Andres Credit: Bob Andres

When people hear screaming or shooting, they should be able to lock down an area without having to get permission from a pastor, imam or rabbi, Evans said. Those few seconds or minutes could save lives before police arrive, he added. There is a movement to station armed people inside places of worship, including specially trained members, private security guards and off-duty police officers, Evans said.

Sulaimaan Hamed, the imam at Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, said armed personnel protect his mosque.

“Georgia is a state that respects our Second Amendment, as do I,” he said. “We do have armed security who are licensed — who are trained — to protect those who come to worship God.”

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Furqan Muhammad, the imam at Masjid Al-Mu’minun, pointed to his mosque’s longstanding security plans, saying: “The best time to prepare for war is at peace.”

“Our faith teaches us to believe in God, to believe in Allah,” he said, “but tie your camel.”

Inside his mosque Friday, Abdulkarim Muhammad sat at a desk near the entrance, toggling between watching surveillance video footage inside the building and greeting everyone who walked down the hallway toward him.

Abdulkarim S. Muhammad watches multiple security cameras on a screen during the Jum'ah Friday prayer at the Masjid Al-Mu'minun mosque in Atlanta's Peoplestown neighborhood, Friday, March 15, 2019. Muhammad mans a desk at the mosque where he checks large bags and reminds members of the congregation to turn off their cell phones. Credit: Alyssa Pointer Credit: Alyssa Pointer

A Marine veteran and grandfather, Muhammad peered inside a visitor’s black duffel bag. When another visitor in an Atlanta Braves ball cap reached out to shake his hand, Muhammad politely refused, saying he didn’t want to be distracted from his important duty. Meanwhile, he urged people to turn off their cellphones before they joined the Friday afternoon prayers.

Muhammad said he believes Allah will protect him, though he remains vigilant.

“Pray as well as watch,” he said. “I am always alert.”