Muslim religious leader found murdered in Ramle mosque

A senior member of the Muslim religious community in Ramle on Friday was found dead in the city’s main mosque with signs of violence on his body. Police suspect he was murdered because of a conflict within the community.

Mosque-goers discovered the lifeless body of Mohammed Taji Abu-Jamil upon entering the city’s Great Mosque for Friday prayers.

Police officers who arrived at the scene opened an investigation into the incident. They believed Abu-Jamil had been slain shortly before being found.

Additional police forces were stationed around the city out of concern for a possible reprisal.

The octogenarian Abu-Jamil was suspected of being murdered because of a disagreement over recently made changes in the local Muslim religious leadership.

Ramle Mayor Yoel Lavi arrived at the scene and deplored the “heinous murder of a man who was important to the city.”

Lavi mentioned that Abu-Jamil had “recently complained about people not being satisfied with the recent appointments to holy places.” Lavi warned more violence cases may occur and said that the Waqf in Jerusalem — the Muslim religious trust that oversees such appointments — “must know that his replacement must be proper, law-abiding and acceptable to everyone.”

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