Mosque Etiquette
For Law Enforcement
Ye who believe! Be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people's enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just. That is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is Aware of what you do. Quran 5:8
Cultural Considerations for Interacting with American Muslims (During Non-Emergency or Non-Crisis Situations)
This material published in Building Cultural Competency Training: Arab, Muslim and Sikh Americans Presented by US Department of Justice Community Relations Service, Connecting Cultures, and Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART).
Perception of Law Enforcement Officials
- Police are perceived in the same as in country of origin: corrupt, open to bribery, brutal
- Arab and Muslim American males believe they are automatic suspects
- There is generally a high respect for authority
- Law enforcement agencies are perceived to be the same authority (FBI, INS, US Marshal, Customs, LEO)
- There is a general mistrust and a belief that homes, phone use, financial transactions are bugged or traced
Dress
- Modest dress for men and women
- Men may have beard, wear skullcap or loose gown
- Women may cover hair and face with a scarf (Hijab), and wear loose attire
- Avoid touching opposite gender or removing scarf forcibly
- If scarf must be removed, request her to remove Hijab herself in private area away from the view of other males, or have female officer remove
Handling Religious Texts or Quran (Holy Book for Muslims)
- Allah is Arabic word for "The God" (of Abraham)
- Do not throw, write on, or place something on top of Quran or place it on the floor
- It is common to keep a Quran in car, purse, bags, etc.
Visiting a Mosque or a Masjid
- Separate entrances are sometimes used for men and women
- Avoid stepping on prayer rug / carpet with shoes, remove shoes or place paper/mat over carpet to walk on
- Prayer occurs five times a day and it is common for there to be activity at the mosque between dawn to night
- Avoid interrupting, walking in front of or trying to talk to person during prayer
- Female officer may cover hair with hat/scarf
- Friday is day of communal worship; lasts 60 - 90 minutes in early afternoon
Interaction with Opposite Gender
- Be mindful of modesty issues
- Do not physically touch opposite sex
- Avoid direct consistent eye contact
- Maintain physical distance
- Interaction should be formal
- If available, use same gender officer to interface with same gender
