Queens Imam Shot Dead At Noon; Trump Blamed For Islamophobia

Queens imam was gunned to death today along with his friend by a lone gunman after the two were walking down to home from prayers.

The killer approached from behind and shot Maulama Akonjee, 55, and Thara Uddin, 65, from point-blank range, said officials.

The mosque leader was a respected religious man. He arrived to Queens less than two years ago from Bangladesh. He was married and father of three children.

Worshipers in great numbers gathered at the murder scene within an hour to denounce the hate crime and few blamed Donald Trump as his drama has created Islamophobia in America.

NYPD official said it was too early to say what had motivated the killer and investigation has started.

A source said the murder could be a robbery motive as one of them was carrying some hard cash with him while walking down to home from the Al-Furgan Jame Mosque in Ozone Park after Saturday’s prayer.

Imam’s nephew, Rahi Majid, 26, said he is not sure who could kill such a man who would even not hurt a fly.

The incident took place at around 1:55 p.m. on 79th St. And nephew of Uddin arrived at the murder scene by chance and found his uncle and the imam his lying heavily blooded on the street.

Local residents said the imam was well-regarded member and was to leave for Bangladesh to attend his son’s wedding after about a week.