Chicago's Muslim community concerned over killings in New Mexico

CHICAGO - Concern is growing among Muslim Americans as authorities investigate the murders of four Muslim men in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Now, Chicago's Muslim community is speaking out about safety as the manhunt for the killer or killers spreads nationwide.

"It’s jarring any time something like this happens in our community," said Saadia Pervaiz, communications coordinator, Council on Islamic-American Relations (CAIR) in Chicago.

The first murder happened in November, but over the last two weeks, three other Muslim men were shot and killed in Albuquerque. The ambush killings are believed to be connected.

The latest victim in the string of attacks is 25-year-old Naeem Hussain – shot just hours after attending the funeral service of another victim last week.

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The other victims are 27-year-old Muhammad Hussain, 41-year-old Aftab Hussein, and 62-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi.

"If you look at the history of these men, a lot of them went to the same mosque," said Pervaiz. "It just makes Muslim-Americans think about what can we do to keep each other safe."

Albuquerque police are now asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle of interest. Police say they believe a dark gray or silver four-door Volkswagen with dark-tinted windows could be connected to the homicides.

Authorities would not disclose where the photos of the vehicle of interest were captured, but Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said on Sunday that they have a "strong link" that this car is connected to the killings.

President Joe Biden said he is "angered and saddened by the horrific killings."

"A huge number of people come in and out on a daily basis, so that brings alarm, concern for me and my community here if something like that would happen," said Oussama Jammal, president, the Mosque Foundation of Chicago.

At the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, safety measures like locked doors and surveillance cameras are already in place, but now – security has been heightened even more.

"Vigilance – vigilance is number one, we have to be careful. No doubt about it. It is not just the adult people, we have children we have kids," said Jammal. "We have to have more now security around the building as people come in."

Both Jammal and Pervaiz are encouraging the community to be cautious, but not to live in fear.

"Do not interrupt your life because maybe that’s the purpose of all of this, and we cannot just give in to violence, we cannot give in to hatred, to murder. This is murder, this is killing, it’s just awful," said Jammal.

"A lot of history in America has made Muslim Americans afraid to practice their faith or visibly practice their faith, and we just want to tell Muslim Americans that nothing should make you afraid and this is a country that says you have the freedom to practice religion, and you should do so confidently," said Pervaiz.

CAIR has posted a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the killings.