An imam has died after he was shot early Wednesday outside a mosque in Newark.

Hassan Sharif, the imam of Masjid Muhammed, was preparing to engage in the first of his daily prayers when an unidentified gunman approached him and opened fire outside the mosque around 6:15 a.m., near the intersection of Camden Street and South Orange Avenue, according to Newark police.

Sharif, who was shot twice, and rushed to University Hospital in critical condition. The imam was declared dead later on Wednesday, officials said.

A motive for the shooting remained unclear, but New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said that the shooting does not appear to be bias-motivated.

“The evidence collected thus far does not indicate that this was an act motivated by bias or an act of domestic terrorism,” Platkin said at a press conference Wednesday.

“And while we would ordinarily not go public with this type of information so early in our process, we know and I know that in light of global events and with a rise in violence directed at many communities… many in New Jersey are feeling a heightened sense of fear and anxiety at the news of this slaying.”

Essex County CrimeStoppers is offering a $25,000 reward to anyone with information on the slaying.

It was not known whether any students were inside the attached Clara Mohammad School-Newark at the time.

Sharif was listed among the 2022-2023 advisory board members for the mosque’s Social Services and Health Wellness program. He was the resident imam of Masjid Muhammad for about 5 years and was a community advocate who protested against gun violence.

He was also among a group of interfaith leaders who attended a climate change protest in Newark in April 2022, the Jewish Standard reported at the time.

In a statement, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said his prayers are with the imam.

“At this point, we do not have any information about the perpetrators or motivations behind this incident, but I know law enforcement will provide updates as appropriate,” Murphy said.

“At a time when the Muslim community is concerned by an increase of bias incidents and crimes, I want to assure the Muslim community and people of all faiths that we will do everything in our power to keep all residents safe, especially in or near our houses of worship.”

He urged anyone with information on the violent crime to contact the Newark Police Department through its 24-hour tip hotline at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477).

Saydah Maiga, 37, who attends Masjid Muhammed, told WNBC that Sharif had offered his support when she converted to Islam in June. 

“He was there for me when I needed prayer when I first became a Muslim,” Maiga told the network. “He definitely made sure he reached out to me, to help me learn my prayers so that I could become the best Muslim.”

The shooting is “very scary and sad for our Islamic community because [Sharif was] a very beautiful imam that helps everyone,” she added.