New Jersey imam critically wounded in shooting outside Newark mosque

A Muslim leader in New Jersey was critically injured in a shooting outside of a Newark mosque on Wednesday morning, according to city officials.

The man, who has been identified as an imam at the Masjid Muhammad-Newark, was transported to the nearby University Hospital in critical condition. The hospital is located just blocks away.

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Officers received a call about a shooting at 6:15 a.m. at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street, according to NBC New York. The motive for the shooting is not clear, and the Newark Department of Public Safety said the incident remains under investigation. No suspect has been identified or captured, and no other injuries have been reported.

A member of the mosque told NBC New York that the man who was shot is Imam Hassan Sharif.

“We are deeply concerned about this incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the imam,” the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement. “Anyone with information about the shooting should immediately contact local police.”

The New Jersey chapter said it is still gathering information on the shooting.

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Although it is not clear whether any bias played a role in the shooting, the incident comes amid an increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks.

“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,” Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) said in a statement. “At a time when the Muslim community is concerned by an increase of bias incidents and crimes, I want 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.”