Diego Lopez, Reporter
GRANTS, N.M. – The recent murders of Muslims in Albuquerque, New Mexico has shaken the state, and prompted additional efforts by the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office to keep all people in the county – regardless of race, ethnicity, or religious background – safe.
Cibola County is not home to a large Islamic faith group, unlike Albuquerque which is only an hour away from Grants, the largest city in Cibola, by car. The county does not have any mosques and Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace said that the recent killings will not deter his office’s operations.
Protecting and defending the people of Cibola County is CCSO’s top priority, Sheriff Mace said, adding, “We are blessed to live in a community where hate crime like this is limited.”
Even though the murders have occurred in Albuquerque, Sheriff Mace still urges all people in Cibola County to be cautious, “Just like with any ethnic group, it’s important to pay attention to your surroundings and be vigilant with situational awareness.”
The Murders so Far
As of press time, there have been four men of Islamic faith murdered in Albuquerque. Investigators believe the murders began in 2021. Mohammad Zahir Ahmadi was the first Muslim man murdered; this tragedy occurred on November 7 of last year.
Aftab Hussein was murdered on July 26, he is believed to be the second victim in this string of murders.
Muhammad Afzaal Hussain was murdered on August 1, he is the third victim.
Naeem Hussain was the most recent man murdered, this incident occurred August 6.
The Albuquerque Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating these murders, which have been classified as “Hate Crimes” because they are believed to specifically target the Islamic community out of hate toward Muslims. On August 7 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that additional New Mexico State Police officers would be sent to Albuquerque to assist in finding the person or group committing these crimes.
“I am angered and saddened that this is happening in New Mexico, a place that prides itself on diversity of culture and thought,” Governor Lujan Grisham said in a statement after police announced Hussain's death. “This is not who we are.”
Albuquerque Police Department is looking for a dark gray or silver Volkswagen that has four doors and tinted windows. There is a possibility that the model of the car is a Jetta, APD said in a statement.