Maulana Akonjee, an imam in al-Furqan Mosque in Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens, has been shot in the head and lost his life. His associate, Uddin Tharam also lost his life.

Imam Maulana Akonjee and his associate Uddin Tharam of Bangladesh origin reportedly were shot dead by a tall man after they performed afternoon prayer in al-Furqan mosque located in Ozone Park neighborhood of New York City.

While imam Akonjee lost his life in the spot as he was shot in the head, his associate Uddin lost his life in the hospital he was transported.

After the incident heard by the Muslim community in the neighborhood, some hundred protesters  gathered in front of the mosque and reacted to the attack and wanted the incident to be treated as hate crime.

The assailant is still being researched. (ILKHA)