Muslims, Officers Keeping Eye Out

Amid fears of pre-election violence, Southern California Islamic leaders and law enforcement officials Thursday urged a united stand against terrorism and stepped up vigilance in mosques with the holy season of Ramadan starting today.

In a joint news conference at the Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles, FBI counterterrorism official Steven L. Gomez said investigators would expand surveillance, set up a command post to evaluate daily intelligence, and increase the number of interviews they conduct with people who may have information about a possible terrorist attack.

The Muslim Public Affairs Council also urged mosques to avoid “irresponsible rhetoric” in sermons, scrutinize sources of donations and avoid overnight visitors. The council’s counterterrorism program was endorsed Thursday by the Islamic Society of North America, the nation’s largest Islamic organization.

“Let it be known that there is a unified front against terrorism,” said Salam Al-Marayati, the Muslim council’s executive director.

“Community leaders [and] law enforcement are joining hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, and standing up against terrorism.”

Islamic leaders expressed concern about the new round of FBI questioning. Gomez said rights would be safeguarded.