Everyday life is now permeated by fear after four Muslim men were gunned down in Albuquerque, a mosque leader said.
“Incredibly terrified. Panicked. Some people want to move from the state until this thing is over. Some people have moved from the state,” said Ahmad Assed, president of the Islamic Center of New Mexico.
“Businesses are closing … early. Students won’t leave their homes,” he said.
“It’s affecting people from coming over to the mosque to conduct their services, their prayers. So, in every aspect of daily life that we’re used to or accustomed to following, it’s impacted it in every way possible,” Assed said.
While police have not called the four killings hate crimes, “in my opinion, clearly it is hate-driven,” Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said Monday.
Albuquerque is not just “in a place of grieving right now, but also at a place of outrage,” Keller said. But the community is determined to help.
“We have marshaled every resource to have now police presence at all our mosques during prayer time,” the mayor said. “We are even doing meal deliveries for families that are afraid to leave their house to get food.”
The Islamic Center of New Mexico is painfully familiar with violence against Muslims in the community.
An arsonist started a fire on the center’s property in November, the city of Albuquerque’s website said. A month later, police arrested someone on suspicion of arson and negligent arson. But now the center, where about 700 to 800 Muslims gather on Fridays, is warning residents to be cautious.
“We urge everyone to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings including making sure that you are not being followed home and avoid walking alone at night,” the Islamic Center of New Mexico posted on Facebook. “This is especially true for our members living in the southeast part of the city where these killings have taken place.”
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