Accident – death – Obituary News :

New Jersey Imam Fatally Shot Outside Newark Mosque

A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday morning when an imam was shot and killed outside a mosque in Newark, New Jersey. The shooting occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. near Masjid Muhammad-Newark, located at the intersection of Camden Street and South Orange Avenue. The imam, identified as Hassan Sharif, was confronted by an unknown gunman shortly after morning prayers.

Imam Sharif was immediately rushed to University Hospital in critical condition. Despite undergoing surgery, it was announced by Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, convener of the Council of Imams in New Jersey, around 2:30 p.m. that Sharif had succumbed to his injuries.

This unfortunate incident marked the second attack on the imam, as he had previously been targeted at gunpoint a few months ago. However, during that encounter, he managed to wrestle the gun away from his assailant. The suspect from the previous attack was never apprehended, and it remains unclear if the two incidents are connected.

It is currently unknown whether there were any individuals present inside Clara Mohammad School-Newark, an Islamic school affiliated with the mosque, at the time of the shooting. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported.

The shooting comes at a time when the United States has witnessed a surge in Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents, particularly following the resumption of conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite the concerning rise in such incidents, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin stated that there were no indications suggesting this shooting was motivated by bias.

Platkin expressed his office’s commitment to working closely with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department to identify and bring the perpetrator(s) responsible for this act of violence to justice. He acknowledged the heightened fears and concerns within the Muslim community due to the increasing bias incidents and emphasized that every possible lead would be fully investigated.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations—New Jersey (CAIR-NJ) urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation. Dina Sayedahmed, the communications manager at CAIR-NJ, expressed deep concern for the incident and called for immediate contact with local police regarding any relevant information. She advised mosques to remain cautious, keeping their doors open while taking necessary precautions to address the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry.

Phil Murphy, the Governor of New Jersey, declared January as the state’s official Muslim Heritage Month last year. In response to Wednesday’s shooting, Governor Murphy offered reassurance to the Muslim community and all faiths, pledging to do everything possible to ensure the safety of residents, especially in or near places of worship.

Imam Hassan Sharif was not only a spiritual leader but also served as a Transportation Security Officer at Newark Liberty International Airport. His loss is mourned by both the Muslim community and the wider community of Newark.

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