The fatal shooting
of a New York City imam and his associate in Queens has prompted people around
the country to offer to accompany Muslim worshippers to and from mosques so
that they won’t have to fear for their safety.

Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55, and his
assistant Thara Uddin, 64, were fatally shot in the back of their heads on
Saturday afternoon blocks away from the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid in Ozone Park.
The police have not yet arrested anyone for the killings or determined a
motive, but members of the heavily Muslim Bangladeshi community fear that the
incident was a hate crime.

The men were wearing traditional
religious attire when they were shot, and others in the community said they’ve
been targeted by anti-Muslim comments.

Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said in a
statement that although police hadn’t determined a motive in the shooting, “our
Muslim communities are in the perpetual crosshairs of bigotry.”

In response to the killings, many
non-Muslims posted tweets with the hashtag #IllWalkWithYou to offer to
physically accompany Muslims to their houses of worship.

Muslim Twitter users expressed
appreciation, while also urging allies to vote against candidates who espouse
Islamophobia.

Meanwhile a gofundme page has been
set up to assist the families of the two killed victims.

Both men leave behind widows and three children. Donations can be made
online at https://www.gofundme.com/ImamsMaulama-Thara