Service to be held Thursday for slain imam
The family of slain Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam announced a Thursday service to honor his life amid an outpouring of community support.
“We, the family of Imam Dr. Mohamed Hassan Adam, want to thank the community for the tremendous outpouring of support in the wake of his shocking murder last week,” the family said in a statement. “He was a beloved husband, father, son and friend, and his loss is a collective one that we share with thousands of individuals, children and families that Imam Mohamed served every day.”
Adam, 48, was found dead inside a vehicle on the 1400 block of Windsor Avenue around 3:15 p.m. Friday. He had been reported missing the prior day after last being seen around 7 p.m. on Dec. 22.
Police have not publicly identified any suspects or motive for the crime. It is not believed, at this stage in the investigation, that Adam was targeted for his role as an imam.
Adam’s family said he had served Columbus and beyond for more than two decades and was “not only a force of compassion, but a model of service who was driven to give back to those who needed it most.”
“Imam Mohamed was a humble man, but his efforts to help others made him a hero to all who knew him,” the family said.
Adam’s family said he created a food pantry and helped deliver hot meals during the pandemic, as well as helping organize fundraisers for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“Imam Mohamed will forever live on in the hearts of those whose lives he touched with his selfless acts and we will work tirelessly to keep his legacy alive,” his family said.
A service to honor Adam’s life will be held during the Asr prayer time, around 3:10 p.m., at Ibnu Taymiyah Masjid, located at 2334 Mock Road on the city’s Northeast Side. Those attending are asked to carpool if possible and park near the masjid. The parking lot of the masjid will be used for the service.
Adam’s family also asked that anyone with information about Adam’s death call police at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
The family has set up a fund to help cover the cost of the service and to help continue Adam’s charity work. Donations can be made at http://launchgood.com/mha.
As of Wednesday morning, more than $41,000 had been raised. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner