An U.S. imam who was shot outdoors a New Jersey mosque on Wednesday has died as authorities search for doubtless motive behind the killing, the U.S. state’s legal professional common stated.
The legal professional common added that the killing didn’t initially seem like pushed by “bias” or home terrorism.
Hassan Sharif was shot a number of instances close to a mosque in Newark, simply west of New York, earlier than being taken to hospital the place he later died, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin stated.
“We do not yet know the motivation for this crime (but) the evidence collected thus far does not indicate that this was an act motivated by bias, or an act of domestic terrorism,” stated Platkin.
He added that “in light of global events, and with a rise in bias that many communities are experiencing across our state – particularly the Muslim community – there are many in New Jersey right now who are feeling a heightened sense of fear.”
The state is house to 300,000 Muslim Americans, he stated.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas struggle, there was a rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic assaults throughout the United States.
The Essex County prosecutor, Ted Stephens, confirmed Sharif was shot greater than as soon as, and that “it does not appear the imam was the victim of a bias crime or that this is related to terrorism.”
“We are dedicated to bringing justice for the imam’s family,” stated Stephens, who referred to as it a “dastardly crime.”
The United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) earlier confirmed that Sharif had labored as a safety screener at Newark airport since 2016.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” stated Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokeswoman.
Images printed by the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) confirmed police autos deployed outdoors the Masjid Muhammad-Newark, a two-story yellow and inexperienced advanced.
In a press release, CAIR described Sharif as “a beacon of leadership and excellence.”
“As always, and irrespective of this specific incident, we advise all mosques to keep their doors open but remain cautious especially given the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry,” the group stated.
Source: www.dailysabah.com