An Imam who was gunned down outside a mosque in Newark on Wednesday while heading to morning prayers has died from his injuries.
Imam Hassan Sharif was shot in the abdomen and in his right arm outside the Masjid Muhammad Mosque near the corner of Camden Street and South Orange Avenue just after 6am.
Sharif was found lying in the parking lot of the house of worship. He was rushed to the University Hospital but has since died of his injuries.
The gunman remains at large and cops have not provided any information on motive.
Sharif had previously been the victim of an attempt on his life in August when he revealed an attacker put a gun to his head.
Imam Hassan Sharif was gunned down outside the Masjid Muhammad mosque in Newark on Wednesday morning
A few hours after the shooting, police could be seen posted outside the entrance to the mosque
In a post to his social media profile in August, seen here,Sharif had previously described how while on his way to the mosque for morning prayer a man put a gun to his head
He wrote on Facebook at the time: ‘Every morning as my daily routine, I go to the masjid to offer Fajr salat( prayer) this morning out of all was a definite test.
‘As I get out of my vehicle heading inside I was approached by an unwanted guest who thought it was a good idea to come behind me an put a gun to my head.’
The spiritual leader continued: ‘Allah definitely showed mercy toward him this morning, and I pray he take heed of that mercy and turn his life around.
‘As I fought him off, I did what I do, I manage to remove the gun from his hand and pull the trigger to stop him dead in his tracks, the gun wouldn’t fire though as he fled.’
Sharif added that he would not be intimidated and said the experience had been made him feel ‘disappointed’.
According to sources who spoke to RLS Media on Wednesday, Imam Sharif had been preparing to engage in the Fajr prayer, the first of the five daily prayers in Islam.
The outlet reported that the gunman approached Sharif during this time and opened fire. A few hours after the shooting, police could be seen posted outside the entrance to the mosque.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin said: ‘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.’
Platkin added that ‘every possible angle will, of course, be explored and every lead will be fully investigated’.
Police say Sharif was rushed to University Hospital in a critical condition following the shooting
The New Jersey Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said it was gathering information on the shooting of the imam
The incident happened near the corner of Camden Street and South Orange Avenue near the Masjid Muhammad mosque
Dwayne Hill, 64, said he had lived near the mosque his entire life and that those who worship there had always been good neighbors.
‘The mosque people are no problem. They keep to themselves and do what they believe in,’ he said. ‘They’ve been feeding and clothing the neighborhood for years,’ he told The New York Times.
The New Jersey Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said it was gathering information on the shooting of the imam.
Dina Sayedahmed, CAIR-NJ Spokesperson: We are shocked by the news of the shooting at Masjid Muhammad in Newark, NJ during Fajr (pre-dawn) prayers.
‘At this time, we do not have information on the perpetrator’s motive.
‘Imam Hassan Sharif is a beacon of leadership in his community and we are praying for his full and speedy recovery. We ask others to do the same.
‘As always, and irrespective of this specific incident, we advise all mosques to keep their doors open but remain cautious especially given the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry.’
Well wishes and prayers have been left for Sharif on social media in the hope that he recovers
Since news of the shooting of the imam was shared, people in his community had been sending him well wishes on social media.
One person posted: ‘May Allah grant Imam Hassan Sharif a speedy recovery and bring his assailant to justice.’
Another said: ‘Prayers, prayers, and more prayers for my dear brother, our beloved Imam Hassan Sharif. May the most merciful intervene and restore him to full health.’
Governor Phil Murphy also said: ‘My prayers are with Imam Hassan Sharif, who reports indicate was the victim of a shooting earlier this morning outside the Masjid Muhammad Mosque in Newark and is currently receiving medical treatment.
‘At this point, we do not have any information about the perpetrators or motivations behind this incident, but I know law enforcement will provide updates as they become available.’
This attack comes amid heightened tensions in America due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
It also comes after an imam at the Omar Mosque in Paterson, just 15 miles north of Newark, was stabbed while leading prayers.