On December 24, community members reportedly found the Imam’s body in Columbus after he went missing Wednesday evening. Police in Columbus, Ohio are treating the death of a popular Islamic leader as a homicide after his body was found in a junk yard two days after he went missing.
DORAL CHENOWETH III, COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Sheikh Mohamed Hassan, Imam of Masjid Abu Hurayrah in Ohio, USA was found murdered in a vehicle in a wooded lot owned by an auto recycling company, report noted. More than 200 people converged near the intersection of Joyce and Windsor avenues just after 3:30 p.m. Friday when news spread within the Somali community.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) Acting Executive Director Amina Barhumi said in a statement:
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajioon – To God we belong and to Him we return. Tonight, we are shocked and devastated by the murder of Sheikh Dr. Mohamed Hassan Adam of Masjid Abu Hurairah – a beloved pillar of the Columbus Somali Muslim community. Our entire Ohio Muslim community has suffered a profound and tragic loss. We call on law enforcement to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the murder of this community leader, husband, and father.
“We send our deepest condolences to his family and are reaching out to offer our support. CAIR-Ohio will be demanding answers and justice, and keeping our community informed of any updates.”
DORAL CHENOWETH/DISPATCH
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad tweeted:
“Our deepest condolences to the family of imam Mohamed Adam and the community. May Allah SWT bless his soul and forgive his sins and grant him paradise. We at CAIR stand ready to support his family in bringing the perpetrators to justice.”
Similarly, Council on American-Islamic Relations also called for justice in the case and offered support for the Imam’s family and loved ones. Meanwhile, CAIR-Ohio and its national headquarters (CAIR) has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the death of Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam of Columbus, Ohio.
DORAL CHENOWETH/DISPATCH
Imam Adam was actively involved in Focus Learning Academy of Northern Columbus, a charter school serving mostly Somali students. He taught Quran to local kids, set up sports leagues, and provided food to the needy during the pandemic, community members said.
