I attended the midday prayers and in attendance was a host of elected officials, NYPD top brass and community leaders.
From City Council speaker, Borough President, State Senator, State Assembly Members, City Comptroller to City Council members. The message was simple, they are all with the Muslim Community at this tragic time. They urged the community to stay calm and do not rush to judgement, allow the NYPD to do their investigation and hopefully the perpetrator will be caught. City Council member Daneek Miller who is Muslim , said he and his family prayed differently this morning, for the safety of his own life, because of his faith.
It was nice to see the out pouring of support from so many politicians.
I do not know how prepared can a house of worship be equipped to handle such a tragic incident, for I expected to hear a little more from the leaders from the Mosque themselves. However I did speak to a few of the members and they all said one thing , how learned was this Imam. He had just finished praying and was walking home with a friend when they were attacked and murdered.
I did not recognize any other Guyanese community leader in the crowd excepting Bro Hack who works in the Queens Boro President's office.
Some people are saying it's a hate crime, I am saying let's wait on the NYPD.