Official Statement on Shooting Incident near AlNoor

Official Statement from Al-Noor Mosque, Gulfton, Houston March 9, 2024 In the evening of March 8th, during our "Welcome to Ramadan" event, an incident occurred outside the premises of Al-Noor Mosque located in the Gulfton neighborhood of Houston. Approximately three bullets penetrated our building while members of our community were in attendance. We are immensely grateful that no one was injured. We would like to clarify, based on the preliminary information, that this incident appears not to be a hate crime but likely related to a dispute unrelated to our community. We are awaiting further details from the Houston Police Department and will share more information as it becomes available. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the Houston Police Department for their rapid response and ongoing support. We are in discussions with HPD to increase security presence around our mosque, especially as the holy month of Ramadan approaches. Our community's safety is our highest priority, and we are enhancing our action plan to ensure the wellbeing of all our attendees,” said Zahoor Gire, Executive Director at Al- Noor. It is noteworthy that our mosque's enforced windows played a crucial role in preventing casualties. This incident has highlighted the importance of our ongoing efforts to maintain a secure environment for our community. As Ramadan begins, we urge our community members to remain vigilant but not to be deterred by fear. Our mosque will continue to be a place of peace, prayer, and community support. We stand together, stronger and more united than ever, in the face of adversity. We are working closely with law enforcement to understand the full scope of this incident and ensure that our mosque remains a safe space for all. We ask for your prayers and support as we navigate this challenging time. May peace and safety prevail in our community, and may this Ramadan bring blessings and tranquility to all.