In the early hours of January 3, 2024, an unknown suspect shot Hassan Sharif, a New Jersey Imam. This happened after he led prayers that morning around 6:15 am in the parking lot of the Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque. The unknown gunman shot Sharif twice in the chest and arm, leaving him for dead on the floor.
Not long after the shooting happened, some members of the masjid found Sharif on the floor and rushed him to a nearby university hospital. To their dismay, he died later in the afternoon from the severity of his injuries.
Sharif’s death comes at a time when there is a significant increase in attacks against Muslim Americans. Since the Israel-Hamas war started in October, authorities have received over 2,171 complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate. Therefore, it is unsurprising that many people believe the two might be connected.
However, the motive behind this shooting remains unclear. According to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, they do not have any information suggesting that the crime was motivated by bias. He also mentioned that his office was working with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department to identify one or more suspects in the case.
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His statement reads, “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. Every possible angle will, of course, be explored, and every lead will be fully investigated to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice.”
Several investigations are ongoing, and the police are optimistic they will find the culprit soon. Sheriff Armando Fontoura said Essex County Crime Stoppers is offering a $25,000 reward for information on the shooting. In addition, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
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The convener of the Council of Imams in New Jersey, Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, also spoke on Sharif’s death. He said that this was not the first gun attack that Sharif experienced. Several months ago, an unidentified suspect attacked Sharif just after morning prayers. Fortunately, the Imam wrestled the gun away from him, but the police never caught the suspect.
He got away, and now many people believe it could be the same man from that incident that killed Sharif. His death is an unfortunate turn of events as Sharif was famous for fighting against gun violence. The Imam was also a beacon of hope and support to the youth in the community, handing out free lunches to whoever needed them.
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“Hasan was a great dad,” said Tanasia Ramson, Sharif’s daughter. “I cannot describe how it makes us feel how many lives he touched.” All hands are on deck to find his killer, and the police are looking to make an arrest soon.
“And to the killer, we will find you,” added Ramson with tears in her eyes at her father’s funeral. Hundreds of people also came out to bid him his final farewell, and many prayed for him outside the mosque. The police also increased security measures around places of worship to prevent such an occurrence from happening again.
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