A mosque in New Jersey became the scene of a deadly shooting on Tuesday morning, when an unidentified gunman opened fire and killed the imam, leaving the Muslim community in shock and grief.
Imam Shot Multiple Times Outside Mosque
According to the authorities, the shooting occurred around 6:30 a.m. outside the Masjid Al-Madinah in Newark, as the imam, identified as Abdul Hadi, was leaving the mosque after leading the morning prayers. The gunman, who was wearing a mask and a hooded sweatshirt, approached the imam and shot him multiple times in the chest and head, before fleeing the scene in a dark-colored vehicle. The imam was pronounced dead at the scene, while no other injuries were reported.
The motive for the shooting is still unknown, and the police have not released any information about the suspect or the vehicle. The authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
Mosque Members Mourn the Loss of Imam
The mosque members, who gathered at the scene after the shooting, expressed their shock and sorrow over the loss of their imam, who they described as a kind, humble, and respected leader. They said that the imam had been serving the mosque for over 10 years, and had a good relationship with the community.
“He was a very good person, very humble, very knowledgeable. He was loved by everybody,” said Mohammad Ali, a mosque member. “He was always smiling, always helping people. He was a father figure to us.”
The mosque members also said that they did not know of any threats or conflicts that the imam might have faced, and that they felt safe and welcomed in the neighborhood. They said that they hoped that the police would find the killer and bring him to justice.
“We are shocked and saddened by this senseless act of violence. We don’t know why this happened, or who did this. We just want justice for our imam,” said Abdul Rahman, another mosque member.
Muslim Leaders Condemn the Shooting, Call for Unity
The shooting has drawn condemnation from Muslim leaders and organizations, who denounced it as a hate crime and an attack on the freedom of religion. They called for unity and solidarity among the Muslim community and the wider society, and urged the authorities to investigate the shooting thoroughly and swiftly.
“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the brutal murder of Imam Abdul Hadi, who was a respected and beloved religious leader in New Jersey. This is a heinous act of hate and terror, and an assault on our faith and values. We demand a full and transparent investigation into this crime, and we call on the authorities to bring the perpetrator to justice,” said Nihad Awad, the national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), in a statement.
“We also urge the Muslim community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or threats to the law enforcement. We stand in solidarity with the Masjid Al-Madinah and the Newark Muslim community, and we offer our sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Imam Abdul Hadi. May Allah grant him the highest level of paradise,” Awad added.
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the largest Muslim umbrella organization in the U.S., also issued a statement, expressing its grief and solidarity with the New Jersey Muslim community.
“We are heartbroken and outraged by the senseless killing of Imam Abdul Hadi, who was a devoted and respected leader of the Masjid Al-Madinah in Newark. We condemn this horrific act of violence, which is an attack on the sanctity of life and the freedom of worship. We call on the authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation, and to bring the perpetrator to justice. We also call on all people of goodwill to stand together against hatred and bigotry, and to uphold the values of peace and justice. We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to the family and friends of Imam Abdul Hadi, and to the entire New Jersey Muslim community. May Allah grant him the highest level of paradise,” the statement read.
