Regarding mosques and hijab:

1. If you wear a hijab, try the hood-on-top or beanie-on-top option to attract less attention.

Keep in mind that you are not disguising your hijab because of embarrassment — this is for your safety. This can be difficult given that if you’re black or dark-skinned, police are more prone to racially profiling you, so be cautious. It’s also tough when you can literally be punched in the face just for visibly wearing a hijab.

2. Wrap your hijab as a turban.

You’re not responsible for anyone policing you because they think it’s not “proper hijab” — just like you’re not responsible for people getting angry and targeting you because you’re wearing a hijab in the first place.
If you want to keep a low profile and not sacrifice your choice to be a hijabi, this might be a good option to think about if your area has been facing a lot of Islamophobic backlash.

3. Be aware of your surroundings before entering and leaving your mosque.

If you see someone sulking around the entrance, don’t be afraid to call the police or inform management.
If there’s a group of people threatening people in or around the mosque, like this racist Marine Corps veteran — Call. The. Police. If they were trying to hurt Muslims by being bigots, the best way to take them down is to have the authorities take care of them instead of trying to intervene yourself.

4. Don’t leave the mosque by yourself. Take care of one another.

Leave in groups, even if you are all not going to the same place. Walk with your group to the closest car one of you came in and offer to drop the others off at their own cars if they are farther away.
In times like these, not only is group contact important, but keeping in mind the safety of others is as well. We’re all sadly in the same boat so make it easier for the sisters with small children or the elderly who can’t walk quickly.

Resources to contact and report hate crimes:

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Image: DailyMail

Crisis Safety Manual for Muslim Women