An imam who was shot on Wednesday outside a mosque in New Jersey has died, the US state’s attorney general said, adding that the killing did not initially appear to be driven by “bias” or domestic terrorism.
Hassan Sharif was shot multiple times outside Masjid Muhammad in Newark, just west of New York, before being taken to hospital where he later died, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said.
“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,” said 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 home to 300,000 Muslim Americans, he said. “We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” said Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokeswoman. Images published by the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations showed police vehicles deployed outside the Masjid Muhammad-Newark, a two-storey yellow and green complex. In a statement, CAIR described Sharif as “a beacon of leadership and excellence”.—Reuters
