AN imam has been critically wounded after being shot outside of his New Jersey mosque.

This is the second time in recent months that Imam Hassan Sharif was attacked outside of the Newark mosque.

The shooting took place early on Wednesday after morning prayers, Newark police said.

Sharif was shot twice outside of Masjid Muhammad-Newark and rushed to a hospital for treatment where he is reportedly in critical condition.

Police swarmed to the scene and roped off the surrounding streets.

Read Related Also: 'Street Takeover' Mob Robs, Destroys Compton Mom-and-Pop Bakery

Sharif was reportedly attacked several months ago, also outside of the mosque after morning prayers, according to Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, convener of the Council of Imams in New Jersey.

Speaking to NorthJersey.com, Shareef said the imam was able to fight the suspect in that incident.

Sharif wrestled the gun from the suspect who then ran off and wasn’t caught, Shareef said.

A suspect and motive in Wednesday’s incident have not been identified.

“We are making prayers for him, and at the same time, we are following up with the police to do what they need to do to try and identify who may have been the suspect,” Shareef told the outlet.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Newark Police and the Council of Imams in New Jersey for an update.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun online. The-Sun.com is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @TheUSSun.