No evidence of bias in imam’s shooting outside his Newark mosque, N.J. AG says

An imam was shot and critically wounded Wednesday morning outside his mosque in Newark, New Jersey, the city’s public safety director said.

The shooting occurred around 6:15 a.m. at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé told NBC New York.

A city spokesperson said the person shot is an imam at the Masjid Muhammad-Newark. A person who answered the door at the mosque told NBC New York that the victim is Imam Hassan Sharif.

Attorney General Matthew Platkin said the shooting does not appear to be motivated by bias.

“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 said in a statement.

Platkin said “every possible angle will, of course, be explored and every lead will be fully investigated.”

Although a motive is unclear and the shooting remains under investigation, the incident comes amid increased tension in the U.S. since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. In the wake of the fighting, requests for help and reports of bias incidents from Muslims across the U.S. have increased, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said it is gathering information on the shooting.

“We are deeply concerned about this incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the imam. Anyone with information about the shooting should immediately contact local police,” CAIR-N.J. said in a statement.

A spokesperson with the New Jersey FBI said the agency is not involved in the investigation at this time.

According to police, the victim in Wednesday’s shooting was shot one time in the abdomen and the right arm. He was taken to University Hospital in critical condition, Fragé said earlier Wednesday.

The shooter was wearing all black and was seen running from the scene of the gunfire, authorities said.

Platkin said he hopes the victim makes a full recovery and his office is in contact with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Saydah Maiga, 37, a Newark resident and member of the mosque, recalled how Sharif helped her when she converted to Islam in June.

“He was there for me when I needed prayer when I first became a Muslim,” she said. “He definitely made sure he reached out to me, to help me learn my prayers so that I could become the best Muslim.”

She said the shooting was “very scary and sad for our Islamic community because he’s a very beautiful imam that helps everyone.”

Margaret Adebayo, a matron of nearby Celestial Church of Christ/Newark New Jersey Parish, said Sharif was a “good man” and “very friendly.”

Sharif was listed as an advisory board member from 2022 to 2023 for the mosque’s Social Services and Health Wellness program. In April 2022, he joined about 60 people, including Jewish and Christian faith leaders, at a climate change protest in Newark.

In 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, 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.

The shooting comes months after an imam at the Omar Mosque in Paterson, about 15 miles north of Newark, was stabbed while leading prayers. The suspect, Serif Zorba, was arrested on several charges including attempted murder.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.