Murders of Muslim Men Terrorize Albuquerque

Albuquerque was thrust into the national spotlight nearly two weeks ago when police officials announced a suspected connection in the murders of three Muslim men. A little more than 24 hours after that announcement, a fourth Muslim man was shot to death. 

By August 9, a suspect was in custody. Muhammed Syed has been charged with the July 26 murder of Aftab Hussein, 41 and the August 1 murder of Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27. Syed is also considered the suspect in the November 2021 murder of Mohammad Zahir Ahmadi and the August 5 murder of Naeem Hussain.

A leader in Albuquerque's Muslim community, Ahmad Assad joins the podcast this week. President of the Islamic Center of New Mexico, Assed played a central role in coordinating between the community and investigators while the search for a suspect played out. Assed talks more about the victims, his initial theory on what he thought was behind the killings, and the community's response after the suspect's arrest.

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