For Immediate Release: Monday, April 29, 2019
ROCKVILLE, Md., April 29, 2019—Today Councilmember Will Jawando sent a letter to Acting Police Chief Russell Hamill requesting increased security measures at mosques in the County during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The full text of the letter is below and attached.
April 29, 2019
Acting Police Chief Russell Hamill
Montgomery County Police Department
100 Edison Park Drive, 3rd floor
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Dear Chief Hamill,
Thank you for your continued service to Montgomery County and for taking the added role and responsibilities of Acting Police Chief as we search for a permanent replacement.
I write to alert you to the upcoming period of Ramadan, a Muslim holy month that starts the evening of Sunday, May 5, and extends through the evening of Tuesday, June 4, ending with the Eid prayers and celebration in the morning of Wednesday, June 5, and a need to ensure greater security during this important period of worship.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours, gathering at sundown to break their fast with prayer, food and drink. We can anticipate a high level of evening activity at our Montgomery County mosques every day of Ramadan and an even higher level on the morning of Eid.
Increasing attacks on houses of worship cause us all great concern. Particularly alarming to our Montgomery County Muslim community are the recent anti-Semitic and anti-Islamic attacks in San Diego and New Zealand. After hearing directly from local Islamic leaders, I urge the Montgomery County Police Department to substantially increase security of our area mosques during this holy month.
I am confident that you share my belief that our Muslim neighbors have the right to safely worship in our community and will work closely with our local Muslim leadership to that end. If I can be of any assistance in coordinating with this effort, please do not hesitate to ask.
Best,
Will Jawando
Montgomery County Councilmember At-Large
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Cecily Thorne Release ID: 19-143