US: Imam shot dead outside mosque in Newark, New Jersey
The shooting was reported at Masjid Muhammad in Newark at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street around 6:15 a.m. local time Wednesday. Read More
[Police vehicles seen outside the two-story yellow and green complex of Masjid Muhammad in Newark, New Jersey.]
New Jersey: Hassan Sharif, Transportation Security Officer at Newark Liberty International Airport who was also working as Imam, was shot dead outside the local mosque where he was leading daily Muslim prayers.
The shooting was reported at Masjid Muhammad in Newark at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street around 6:15 a.m. local time Wednesday.
"Multiple gunshot wounds"
Sharif had bullet wounds in his abdomen and left arm. When police reached the incident spot, they found him lying in the parking lot around 10 feet from the mosque entrance with multiple gunshot wounds.
Hassan Sharif was rushed to University Hospital in critical condition where he was pronounced dead later Wednesday afternoon, the local police officials said.
Though the shooter is at large and the exact motives behind the incident is unclear, the brutal murder comes amidst the alarming increase in Islamophobic attacks in the United States since the outbreak of Israel-Palestine war on Oct 7.
"Condolences pour in"
Daud Haqq, the President of the Tri-State Imams Council, is shaken by the fellow Imam's brutal murder.
"My heart is really hurting over him," said Haqq, before questioning the motive, "You're not afraid to attack an imam, how about the average Muslim?"
Lisa Farbstein, a spokeswoman for the United States Transportation Security Administration where Sharif worked, also expressed condolences.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues", she said.
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