An imam shot outside a Newark mosque in New Jersey state has succumbed to gunshot wounds, American authorities said.
Imam Hassan Sharif was shot more than once after 6.00 a.m. outside Masjid-Muhammad-Newark mosque, officials say, amid surge in Islamophobic attacks in America since Israel’s brutal war on besieged Gaza.
New Jersey Attorney General, Matt Platkin, said, on Wednesday, that the loss of Imam Hassan Sharif will be felt across the state and city.
Platkin added that there’s no evidence indicating the shooting was motivated by an anti-Muslim bias.
”The cleric was in his vehicle when he was shot more than once near the mosque,” Essex County Prosecutor, Ted Stephens, said at a news conference.
Officers sought to identify and arrest the shooter. And while the motive wasn’t clear, the governor promised to do what’s possible to protect houses of worship.
The cleric was shot after 6.00 a.m. outside the Masjid-Muhammad-Newark mosque, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Frage said in an emailed statement.
Read Related News:
The victim was taken to a nearby University Hospital in critical condition, authorities said, but died from his wounds later.
Frage said the shooting is under investigation, and no other information is available.
A message seeking more information was left with the mosque.
“At a time when the Muslim community is concerned by an increasing bias incidents and crimes, I want to assure the community and people of all faiths that we will do everything in our power to keep all residents safe.
”This is especially in or near our houses of worship,” Governor Phil Murphy’s statement said.
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share story(ies) of happenings in your area with The NewsZenith on WhatsApp: 08033668669 or thenewszenith@gmail.com
