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Apr 1, 2005 · Death at the Mosque: Directed by Bradford May. With David James Elliott, Catherine Bell, Patrick Labyorteaux, Scott Lawrence. Vic defends a Marine in Iraq, and he sees combat and takes part in it. Mac advises and encourages the general's daughter, who's a plebe at the Naval Academy.
- (127)
- Action, Crime, Drama
- Bradford May
- 2005-04-01
- Overview
- A pillar in the community
- Increased patrols around mosques
Police are searching for a gunman who fatally shot an imam outside his mosque in Newark, New Jersey, on Wednesday, an incident that heightened fears in the Muslim community amid increased tension in the U.S. since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The shooting, which does not appear to have been motivated by bias, occurred around 6:15 a.m. at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said.
Hassan Sharif, an imam at Masjid Muhammad-Newark, was hospitalized in critical condition. He died from his injuries around 2:20 p.m., law enforcement sources said.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens told reporters Wednesday afternoon that Sharif was shot more than once.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement, "At a time when bias incidents against members of the Muslim community are on the rise, we know that this act of gun violence will heighten fears and concerns in our State."
He added that "every possible angle will, of course, be explored and every lead will be fully investigated."
The shooter, who was wearing all black, was seen running from the scene of the gunfire, authorities said. No other details about the shooter were available Wednesday afternoon. Essex County Crime Stoppers is offering a $25,000 reward for anyone with information about the shooting, the sheriff said.
Sharif had been a transportation security officer at Newark Liberty International Airport since 2006.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and co-workers," the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement to NBC New York.
Many people described Sharif as a pillar in the community. Fragé said that he was a part of the city's safe surrender program and that the mosque was one of the safe houses where fugitives turned themselves in. He had been an imam at the mosque for five years.
Qasim Amin Nathari, 59, said he joined the mosque as a child and later developed a relationship with Sharif based on mutual respect. Sharif, Nathari recalled, always viewed himself as a servant to the congregants.
"He was just a good man, which makes it so tragic," Nathari said.
In the wake of the shooting, police patrols at each mosque in Nassau County, New York, were increased.
"While there is no information at this time concerning the cause of the shooting, out of an abundance of caution I am increasing patrols to protect the Muslim community," County Executive Bruce Blakeman said.
In a statement, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he wanted "to assure the Muslim community and people of all faiths that we will do everything in our power to keep all residents safe, especially in or near our houses of worship."
A spokesperson from Masjid Muhammad-Newark said the community was "hurting" following Sharif's death and that he would be "sorely missed."
In a statement, the Masjid Muhammad-Newark board of directors said Sharif was responsible for visiting "sick and shut-in members and bereaving families in hospitals and homes to provide consolation and care from an Islamic and humanistic perspective."
He also visited schools to promote leadership and positive images of Black men and fathers, the board of directors said, and twice a month distributed food to the community of South Orange Avenue.
- 2 min
- Minyvonne Burke,Daniel Arkin,Andy Weir
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