Muslim shot, stabbed outside US mosque

By Esra Kaymak Avci

WASHINGTON

Police in the southern state of Texas have launched an investigation after a doctor was stabbed and shot near a mosque as he walked to morning prayers, local media said.

The ABC13 Eyewitness News website said he had parked his car and was walking to the mosque in southwest Houston for 5.30 a.m. prayers when he was attacked.

Police are not treating the incident in the Bellaire neighborhood as a hate crime, the website said.

Fellow worshipper Mohammed Imaduddin identified the victim as Dr. Arslan Tajammul.

“It is very scary right now given the current political climate,” Imaduddin said. “From what I hear, this is the third incident this week in the Houston area involving a Muslim getting shot.”

The victim is currently in intensive care but is expected to survive.