https://www.njspotlightnews.org/video/murder-of-nj-imam-puts-muslim-community-on-edge/
With the Wednesday shooting still under investigation and no suspect arrested, the murder of Imam Hassan Sharif in Newark has stirred new concerns in New Jersey’s Muslim community.
Sharif was killed in a shooting outside of his mosque, Masjid Muhammad Newark, in the early morning hours and was pronounced dead that afternoon. The fatal shooting remains under investigation, and authorities say they have no evidence of a hate crime at this point.
Yet some Muslim community groups are questioning the early assertions from police and prosecutors, especially at a time with hate crimes are on the rise. Dina Sayedahmed, the communications manager for CAIR New Jersey, said on Thursday that the comments from officials feel dismissive, like a rush to chalk up the death to urban violence before the investigation is complete.
“It feels disingenuous for authorities to jump to the conclusion that there is no bias motivation because it’s over 24 hours since the shooting and there still is no suspects suspect in custody,” Sayedahmed said. “So it’s hard to say what the motive is when there’s really nothing that the authorities have given us.”
Essex County Crime Stoppers is offering $25,000 for info leading to an arrest, while CAIR-New Jersey has put up a separate $10,000 reward as well.
With the Wednesday shooting still under investigation and no suspect arrested, the murder of Imam Hassan Sharif in Newark has stirred new concerns in New Jersey’s Muslim community.
Sharif was killed in a shooting outside of his mosque, Masjid Muhammad Newark, in the early morning hours and was pronounced dead that afternoon. The fatal shooting remains under investigation, and authorities say they have no evidence of a hate crime at this point.
Yet some Muslim community groups are questioning the early assertions from police and prosecutors, especially at a time with hate crimes are on the rise. Dina Sayedahmed, the communications manager for CAIR New Jersey, said on Thursday that the comments from officials feel dismissive, like a rush to chalk up the death to urban violence before the investigation is complete.
“It feels disingenuous for authorities to jump to the conclusion that there is no bias motivation because it’s over 24 hours since the shooting and there still is no suspects suspect in custody,” Sayedahmed said. “So it’s hard to say what the motive is when there’s really nothing that the authorities have given us.”
Essex County Crime Stoppers is offering $25,000 for info leading to an arrest, while CAIR-New Jersey has put up a separate $10,000 reward as well.
