The murder of a Muslim man in the US southwestern state of New Mexico’s largest city has raised concerns over the safety of the Muslim community, following the murder of three other Albuquerque Muslims in similar circumstances.
“The lives of Albuquerque Muslims are in danger. Whoever is responsible for this horrific, hateful shooting spree must be identified and stopped – now,” Edward Ahmed Mitchell, the National Deputy Director Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a statement.
“We thank local, state and federal law enforcement for their ongoing work on this crisis, and we call the Biden administration to ensure that authorities all of the resources needed to both protect the Albuquerque Muslim community and stop those responsible for these horrific crimes before they claim more innocent lives.”
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An Albuquerque Muslim was killed last week by a serial shooter who has allegedly been targeting Muslims for nine months.
The police identified the latest victim as Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, a 27-year-old planning director for the city of Española who came to the US from Pakistan.
That followed the murder of 41-year-old Aftab Hussein from Albuquerque’s large Afghan community, who was found dead of gunshot wounds on July 26 near the city’s international district, according to police.
Police added that these deaths are likely linked to the shooting death of 62-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi in a parking lot by a halal supermarket and cafe on November 7, 2021.
In a press conference on Saturday, the Albuquerque Police Department and federal law enforcement officials said the men may have been targeted because of “their race and religion.”
“This tragedy is impacting not only the Muslim community – but all Americans,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.
“We must be united against hate and violence regardless of the race, faith or background of the victims or the perpetrators. We urge anyone with information about these crimes to come forward by contacting law enforcement.”