NEW YORK: Amid a recent surge in anti-Muslim bigotry, an Imam was shot dead outside a mosque in the US state of New Jersey, on Wednesday, the authorities said. The Imam, Hassan Sharif — a 52-year-old African-American — was shot outside the Masjid Muhammad mosque in Newark, the most populous city in New Jersey.
The gunman is stated to be at large, and the motive for the killing was still unknown.
At Wednesday evening prayers, hundreds of mourners gathered for a vigil in honour of Imam Sharif. Ras J. Baraka, Newark’s mayor, said the authorities would “bring the perpetrator to justice, no matter how long it takes.”
“Imam Hassan Sharif stood with the people of this city, and we will stand with him and his family,” Baraka added. The city’s Sheriff, Armando Fontoura, said that a $25,000 reward was being offered to anyone with information regarding the shooting.
Imam Hassan Sharif served at the Newark mosque for three or four years and was recently appointed as resident Imam, according to media reports. A former boxer, Imam Sharif worked as an officer for the Transportation Security Administration.
“Imam Hassan was a beacon of leadership and excellence,” the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent Washington-based Muslim advocacy group said in a statement. –Agencies
