Shooting Death of Four Muslims Creates Fear in Albuquerque

The Muslim community in Albuquerque, New Mexico, lives in fear.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
08 August 2022 Monday 13:48
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Shooting Death of Four Muslims Creates Fear in Albuquerque

The Muslim community in Albuquerque, New Mexico, lives in fear. Four Muslims have been killed recently, three in the last two weeks, and authorities think the four cases may be linked by religion.

The police distributed posters with the image of a car, a Volkswagen sedan, and the request for citizen help, considering that this car is the one used by the author, or authors, of the death of these four people. Other than that vehicle, investigators had not provided any description of the suspect or suspects.

"I am angry and saddened by the horrific deaths of four Muslim men in Albuquerque," US President Joe Biden wrote on Twitter. “As we await the outcome of the investigation, my prayers are with the families of the victims and my administration remains strongly supportive of the Muslim community. These hateful attacks have no place in America,” he maintained.

The city's mayor, Tim Keller, expressed his complete confidence in identifying the owner of that vehicle. "It's only a matter of time before we know and connect all the clues," he remarked. The police pointed out that the pattern is repeated, ambushed by surprise and shot. Although they did not take it for granted that the four situations were related, there were too many similarities, they stressed. Keller assured that there was also a link of “religious hatred”.

Naeem Hussain, 25, attended the funeral last Friday for Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, and Aftab Hussein, 41, who died of gunshot wounds on August 1 and July 26, respectively. Hours after the funeral, Naeem was listed as deceased. Despite the coincidence of the surnames, they had no family ties.

Naeem had only been sworn in for US citizenship a month ago and dreamed of being an entrepreneurial businessman. He had opened a transportation business. He was found in the parking lot of a nonprofit organization that provides refugee and adoption services.

All three were regulars at the Islamic Center of New Mexico and, according to investigators, their cases are connected to the murder of Mohammad Ahmadi, 62, which was recorded in November 2021. This victim also attended the center's mosque.

“Although we are still working with all the clues collected to determine more connections, it is problematic that they were Muslims and with similar ancestry,” said Albuquerque police sources, who have the collaboration of the FBI.

Neem Hussain emigrated as a refugee from Pakistan in 2016, persecuted for being a Shia Muslim. Muhammad Afzaal Hussain studied at the University of Punjab in Pakistan and later earned a master's degree at the University of New Mexico. Aftab Hussein was also of Pakistani origin, while Muhammad Ahmadi was born in Afghanistan.