After New Mexico killings, Muslims are on edge
By Andrew Hay
(Reuters) – Albuquerque enterprise proprietor Mula Akbar now carries a pistol more often than not after three Muslim males he knew have been ambushed and killed in New Mexico’s largest metropolis within the final 10 days.
He mentioned he and different members of Albuquerque’s Muslim neighborhood are taking such precautions whereas police seek for whoever focused and shot lifeless 4 males of Pakistani or Afghan descent within the metropolis since November.
Akbar mentioned he final noticed Nayeem Hossain on Friday on the burial of two different males, Muhammed Afzaal Hussain, 27, and Aftab Hussein, 41, who have been killed on Aug. 1 and July 26, respectively.
Hossain, in his mid 20s, was shot to dying hours later close to Central Ave., southeast Albuquerque, like the 2 different males. Akbar additionally knew Mohammad Ahmadi, who like him was a Muslim from Afghanistan. Ahmadi was shot lifeless on Nov. 7, 2021, whereas smoking a cigarette exterior a enterprise he and his brother ran in southeast Albuquerque, Akbar mentioned.
“Persons are attempting to come back to phrases with ‘Why us?’ why particularly the Muslim neighborhood?” mentioned Akbar, a former U.S. State Division official, who has a hid carry license.
Police have supplied few clues as to why they assume the murders are linked aside from the victims’ race and faith.
At a Monday security briefing for the College of New Mexico (UNM), Albuquerque police Deputy Commander Kyle Hartsock informed the general public to look out for a grey or silver Volkswagen Jetta believed to be concerned within the killings.
The final three killings passed off near the UNM campus, and a few Pakistani college students have left city for security, mentioned Tahir Gauba, a spokesman for the Islamic Middle of New Mexico, the place all 4 victims worshipped.
Throughout the briefing, police really helpful that frightened college students carry pepper spray on campus however mentioned vigilance and watching out for each other was their greatest protection.
(Reporting By Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; Enhancing by Gerry Doyle)
