The imam of a mosque in New York and another man accompanying him were killed by gunfire to their heads in a shooting near a mosque in New York. The shooting occurred in the afternoon of August 14, near a mosque around 'Ozone Park' located in Queens. According to the French news agency AFP, citing the New York police, both men who were shot were transferred to 'Jamaica Hospital' nearby. It was later reported that 'Imam Akonji', the 55-year-old imam of the mosque, had lost his life. The other man, who was 64 years old, succumbed to his injuries after being taken to the hospital. The police stated that they are investigating the incident, and it is still unclear what the motive for the shooting was. However, it has been emphasized that in the early stages of the investigation, no evidence or witnesses have been found regarding 'religious motives'. Despite the police's statements, videos and posts shared on social media indicate that a group of individuals have linked it to religious issues, claiming that this incident is a 'hate crime'. According to Reuters, Afaf Nasher, a senior official of the 'Council on American-Islamic Relations', stated that 'the person who committed these senseless murders must be arrested and brought to justice as soon as possible'. The New York Times quoted someone who knew Imam Akonji, describing him as a 'very religious and devout' individual who 'only came to the mosque and then went home, having no connection with the outside world'. Both individuals were shot from behind, and a suspect is being pursued. Some witnesses reported seeing the shooter fleeing the scene. NBC New York reported that the Farqan Mosque, where the imam was targeted, generally serves the Bangladeshi immigrant community.
Imam of a Mosque and Another Man Killed in Shooting Near Mosque in New York
An imam and another man were shot and killed near a mosque in Queens, New York. The police are investigating the incident, which some are linking to religious motives, despite initial findings suggesting otherwise. This event raises concerns about safety and hate crimes against religious communities in the U.S.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
An imam and another man were shot and killed near a mosque in Queens, New York. The police are investigating the incident, with some linking it to religious motives despite initial findings suggesting otherwise.
- The shooting occurred near a mosque in Ozone Park, Queens.
- Both victims were shot in the head and later died from their injuries.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. has seen a rise in hate crimes against various religious and ethnic groups, leading to increased fear and calls for action from civil rights organizations.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
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