TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction
II. What is a Crisis Response Strategy?
III. Why is it Important to have a Crisis
Response Strategy?
IV. What are Some Types of Crises I
should be Concerned about for my
Community?
V. Setting Up a Crisis Response Team
VI. Standard Response Strategy
VII.Resources

I.

Introduction
This guide is designed to help provide you the understanding of how to
protect your community from various crises and dangers that may affect your
community. These crises and dangers can be both man-made and natural
disasters. The purpose of this guide is to help you create a crisis response
strategy to help respond to these crises and dangers in an effective manner.

II. What is a Crisis Response Strategy?

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A Crisis Eesponse Strategy is a strategy or plan of action for your masjid or

organization to respond to various community crises and dangers that may
impact your community. This strategy will allow you to mobilize your local
resources in your community to help protect your community from harm and
keep your community members safe.

III. Why is it Important to have a Crisis

Response Strategy?
The American Muslim community faces several challenges that must be dealt
with in an effective, swift, professional and timely manner. Many crises and
dangers if simply responded to in a timely manner can avoid the problem
turning into a larger problem that may hurt your community further. From
hate crimes to natural disasters to community members asking for financial
assistance it is important for a community to build up its capabilities to
respond to these requests.
Not having a crisis response strategy can ultimately hurt your community and
organization in the long run and can potentially open up your community to
various dangers and make your organization and community vulnerable to
various dangers and disasters.

IV. What are Some Types of Crises I

Should Be Concerned about for My
Community?
Here are a couple of major crises and disasters that your community should
be prepared to respond to:
A. Natural Disasters (floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.)
B. Man-Made Disasters (hate crimes, violence, domestic violence, disease,
etc.)
C. Financial Disasters (unemployment, medical expenses, etc.)

V. Setting Up a Crisis Response Team

A Crisis Response Team should consist of dedicated volunteers in the following
roles. Each of the team members would be trained and given the resources
and tools to respond to various crises in your community. These team
members would have committees under them to help assist them in
responding to crises.

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A. Disaster Relief Director

The Disaster Relief Director would be responsible for overseeing all
disaster relief efforts in the local community and work with local relief
agencies to provide disaster relief for the local community. The Disaster
Relief Director would be provided training along with the Disaster Relief
Team in disaster relief response, CPR and other essential trainings.
B. Media/PR Director
The Media/PR Director would handle all media requests for your masjid or
organization. This would include issuing press releases, statements,
engaging with news outlets and developing relationships with local news
outlets and journalists.
C. Legal Director
The Legal Director would handle all legal matters and advise the masjid on
any legal matters. The Legal Team would support the Legal Director.
D. Healthcare Director
The Healthcare Director, ideally a physician would head the healthcare
efforts of the masjid and the broader community. The Health Director
would be assisted by the Healthcare Team.
E. Social Worker
The Social Worker would be responsible for responding to all cases
regarding families and children. This will include providing support and
resources to help community members get temporary financial assistance
and employment. The Social Worker will be supported by the Social Work
Team.
F. Counselor
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The Counselor would be responsible for providing counseling and therapy

services to masjid community members. The Counseling Team would
support the Counselor and devise a strategy of how to respond to
counseling and therapy requests.
G. Security Director
The Security Director would be responsible for creating a strategy to help
ensure the safety and security of all masjid community members on
masjid premises. This would include training and hiring security officers for
masjid security, providing surveillance of masjid premises, and other
security support. The Security Director would be supported by the Security
Team.
H. Civic Engagement Director
The Civic Engagement Director would be responsible for all relationships
with all local elected officials and would be responsible for creating
meaningful and strategic relationships with local elected officials and also
helping train and educate the masjid community members about the
importance of civic engagement. The Civic Engagement Director would be
supported by the Civic Engagement Team.

VI. Standard Response Strategy

The following would be the standard response strategy for any crisis:

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All crises would be referred to the respective Director and his/her team to handle.
Dependent on the severity or an immediate need/request the team would assemble
quickly to address the manner.

VII. Resources
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

DART (Disaster and Relief Training)-Islamic Relief

I Am Change Workshop-MPAC
Mental Health First Aid Training-Muslim Wellness Foundation
ReThink Media Media Trainings-ReThink Media
Domestic Violence First Aid Training-Peaceful Families Project

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