August 15, 2016 — New York, New York
AJC U.S. Director of Muslim-Jewish Relations Robert Silverman visited the Al-Furqan Jame Mosque to meet with congregation members mourning the murder of Imam Maulama Akonjee and his assistant Thara Uddin.
“We are deeply pained by this cold-blooded dual murder of Muslim religious leaders,” Silverman said after visiting the mosque last evening. “Our hearts go out to the families of the slain men, to their congregation, and to the Bangladeshi Muslim community in New York.”
Silverman will attend the funerals today on behalf of AJC, a global Jewish organization that pioneered outreach to the Muslim community in the U.S.
“Spending time, speaking with some of the men who knew and admired Imam Akonjee was especially heartbreaking,” said Silverman. “We stand with this traumatized community, and offer much support and understanding for healing.”
The New York Police Department is pursuing a suspect, and has yet to determine his motive. “Bringing the killer to justice must be an utmost priority,” Silverman said.
