Investigation Underway for Shooting of Imam Outside New Jersey Mosque

Authorities in New Jersey are currently looking into the early morning shooting of an imam that took place outside a mosque. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. near the Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque, prompting a response from the Newark Police. The victim, later identified as an imam or prayer leader, was rushed to a nearby hospital and is currently listed in critical condition, according to Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé. While the police have not confirmed whether the imam was specifically targeted, the matter is currently under investigation with no information about potential suspects having been released. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has been vocal about the rise in anti-Muslim sentiments, particularly following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. They report receiving over 2,000 bias-related incidents, marking a 172% increase compared to the same period in 2022. CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad highlighted the impact of this wave of bigotry, stating, 'From Burlington to Chicago to DC and elsewhere, innocent Americans are suffering the consequences of this wave of bigotry.'