Mosques nationwide on security alert, including Houston locations

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The local executive director for CAIR says they are concerned and requesting extra police patrols at Houston mosques after this week. After anti-Islam protests may be carried out on October 10.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, urged Muslim community leaders to consider instituting additional safety measures in response to hate rallies by possibly armed anti-Muslim extremists targeting mosques nationwide on October 10.

Executive Director for CAIR Houston Mustafaa Carroll says they are also encouraging mosques to take video of any protestors but not to get involved. Locally they are in touch with their national organization about the protests. Information so far indicates planned events in Mansfield, Arlington and Victoria but nothing specific here in Houston.

Carroll said, "They have a right to protest anywhere. I just wonder if 200 Muslims showed up at a church and protested what would happen. You have a right to do it but is it the right thing to do. What purpose are you serving when you do it. I don't think people have even thought about that. They're playing right into the hands of Isis, Al-Qaeda etc."

There are more than 100 mosques in the Houston area being urged to be watchful.