After morning prayers on Wednesday, the imam of a Newark mosque was shot outside his place of worship and succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by community leaders who have been in touch with his family and the mosque.
Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, convener of the Council of Imams in New Jersey, revealed that Imam Hassan Sharif was shot twice in the parking lot of Masjid Muhammad-Newark on South Orange Avenue. A representative from the council was present at University Hospital in Newark on Wednesday, where the imam had been undergoing surgery.
Shareef stated, “I just spoke to the imam at the hospital. He just verified the passing of Imam Hassan Sharif.”
Dina Sayedahmed, communications director for the Council on American Islamic Relations in New Jersey, who was at the mosque in the afternoon, also received information from multiple community members about the imam’s demise. She mentioned that they were preparing to release a statement later in the day.
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The motive behind the attack is unknown. Shareef revealed that the imam had previously been assaulted at gunpoint outside the mosque, several months before, also after the morning prayers. In that incident, the imam managed to disarm the culprit, who fled and evaded capture, according to Shareef.
The shooting occurred around 6:16 a.m., according to Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé. Law enforcement responded to a distress call reporting a man being shot outside the mosque. The imam was transported to University Hospital in Newark and pronounced dead at 2:21 p.m., as per officials.
Imam Hassan Sharif had been serving at the Newark mosque for three or four years and was recently elected as the resident imam, according to Shareef. Sharif, a former boxer, had been working as an officer for the Transportation Security Administration.
Shareef shared a personal connection with the imam. “When he was elected, we had a discussion about the roles and responsibilities of imams. I acquainted him with the history of the mosque where he was Imam, the place where I embraced Islam many years ago,” said Shareef.
Shareef admitted to being unaware of any connection between the two incidents or the motive behind the attack.
“We are praying for him and simultaneously coordinating with the police to assist in their efforts to identify the suspect,” he stated.
Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the need to protect residents in their places of worship.
“At a time when the Muslim community is alarmed by a surge in prejudiced incidents and crimes, I want to assure the Muslim community, as well as people of all faiths, that we will exert every effort to ensure the safety of all residents, particularly in or around places of worship,” he announced.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin and Essex County Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens held an afternoon press conference to address the case.
“In light of global events and the rise in bias targeting various communities across our state, especially the Muslim community, many in New Jersey are currently feeling heightened fear or anxiety upon hearing the news of this killing,” Platkin remarked. “I want every resident of our state to know that we are deploying all our resources to ensure the safety of our Muslim friends and neighbors, and safeguarding all residents of New Jersey.”
Platkin indicated that the motive behind this crime is yet to be determined. However, he stated, “The evidence we have gathered so far does not suggest that this was a bias-motivated act.”
Stephens disclosed that Sharif was shot multiple times.
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Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura mentioned that the Essex County Crime Stoppers Program is presenting a $25,000 reward for details leading to the capture of the individual or people responsible.
“$25,000, come forward, no inquiries asked,” he conveyed.
Sayedahmed, of CAIR-NJ, conveyed that the group was taken aback by the news of the shooting and described the imam as “a guiding light of leadership in his community.”
“We have deep concerns regarding this occurrence. Anyone with knowledge about the shooting should promptly engage with local law enforcement,” Sayedahmed expressed.
The Newark Interfaith Alliance and the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) organized an assembly on Wednesday evening urging that the shooter surrender themselves. This assembly was held at the Masjid Muhammad mosque where Sharif was slain.
Other affiliations like the Islamic Circle of North America-New Jersey shared their sentiments as they grieved the Iman’s passing and demanded “swift and unswerving action to ensure the safety and security of every member of our community.”
Sharif was involved in Newark Interfaith Alliance and the safe surrender program where his mosque were one of the safehouses in which fugitives with non-violent arrest warrants can turn themselves in, and work to have their case resolved quickly without jail time.
“He was a community activist who protested against gun violence,” stated Fragé. “He supported efforts to keep our city safe. His is a deep loss that the city will mourn.”
The shooting comes as New Jersey marks its first official Muslim Heritage Month. Murphy signed a proclamation in May designating January of every year for the occasion, in a measure meant to promote appreciation and awareness about Muslim traditions and contributions.
