Death of Imam Shot Outside Mosque in New Jersey, USA
Representatives of the state prosecutor’s office in New Jersey, USA, stated that an imam of a mosque died after being shot outside a mosque in Newark in the early hours of Wednesday. Authorities have not yet identified any suspects or the motive behind the attack.
Matthew Platkin, the Attorney General of New Jersey, stated in a press conference that there is no indication that the shooting is a bias-motivated crime or an act of local terrorism, according to the evidence gathered so far in the investigation.
Platkin’s office usually does not disclose this type of information at such an early stage, but he mentioned that they are working in light of the increasing incidents of bias against various religions lately, explaining that “many in New Jersey are now experiencing a growing sense of fear.”
He added that “since October 7th, law enforcement presence has been enhanced at all places of worship in New Jersey, especially mosques and Jewish temples.” According to Theodore Stephens, the Essex County Prosecutor, during a press conference on Wednesday, Imam Hassan Sharif was shot multiple times on Wednesday just after 6 a.m. while in his car in front of the Muhammad Mosque in Newark. Stephens added that Sharif died from his injuries in a local hospital later that day.
Incidents of anti-Semitism and those related to Islamophobia have escalated across the United States since the October 7th attack by Hamas on Israel, which responded with intense airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza.
As a result, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued security guidelines for religious communities in December.
The ministry’s recommendations included developing a security plan, assigning an individual or committee responsible for security, completing a risk assessment, coordinating with the local community, and identifying available resources.
Fritz Frager, the Director of Public Safety in New Jersey, echoed statements from Platkin and Stephens, stating that there is no indication yet that the shooter acted out of bias. However, he said investigators are following “all leads” during their investigation into the incident.
