Imam critically injured in morning shooting outside Newark mosque

In a shocking incident on Wednesday morning, an imam was targeted in a shooting outside a mosque in Newark, New Jersey. The victim, critically wounded, was swiftly transported to University Hospital, amplifying concerns within the community.

The unsettling event unfolded shortly after 6:15 a.m. at Masjid Muhammad mosque, located near the intersection of Camden Street and South Orange Avenue. As CBS New York’s Christina Fan reported, the attack occurred during the mosque’s 6 a.m. Fajr prayer, the first of its five daily prayers.

Law enforcement responded promptly, with Newark police officers securing the mosque’s entrance, while a state police helicopter monitored the scene from above. The incident has left the community on edge, raising questions about the safety of religious institutions.

Masjid Muhammad mosque, previously known as Temple #25 and established in 1957, is not only a place of worship but also houses the Clara Mohammed School-Newark, catering to students from K-12. The mosque’s website identifies a resident imam and two assistant imams as part of its leadership.

CAIR-NJ, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, issued a statement urging individuals with information to cooperate with the police. “We are deeply concerned about this incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the imam,” the statement emphasized.

As of now, authorities have not disclosed any details about a suspect or a potential motive behind the shooting, leaving the community anxiously awaiting further updates on this alarming incident.