Date Posted: Thursday, August 04, 2005

Iman Muhanna Mohammed and husband, Fakhri.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful

<<August 4, 2005>>

(Washington, DC) - Seven months after the brutal stabbing murder of Iman Muhanna Mohammed in the bedroom of her Metairie, LA, home, a $45,000 reward offer for information that might help bring Mrs. Mohammed's killer(s) to justice remains unclaimed.

Mrs. Mohammed, 42, a daughter, sister, wife, and mother to an eight-year-old son, as well as a pillar in the community where she spent the past four years teaching Quran to students at the Muslim Academy in Harvey, LA, fell victim to a heinous crime on December 17, 2004, when she was brutally stabbed 33 times in her own home. Adding to the horrific circumstances of this unsolved murder is the fact that Mrs. Mohammed was six-months pregnant at the time. Mr. and Mrs. Mohammed's unborn daughter did not survive the murder.

MAS Freedom Foundation Executive Director Mahdi Bray noted that media attention to Mrs. Mohammed's case has waned in recent months: "Laci Peterson and Natalie Holloway have received so much support and coverage, but there is virtually no coverage for Iman Mohammed.

“Someone out there knows something about this case. Mrs. Mohammed needs someone to advocate for bringing her murderer, or murderers, to justice and we plan to do just that. It would be great if Nancy Grace of CNN and other crime solving programs would give this case coverage," observed Bray.

The initiative to renew media focus into Mrs. Mohammed's case could come as early as next week.

MAS Freedom Foundation Administrative Director Aishah Schwartz learned today in speaking with Darlene Cusanza, Executive Director of the Harvey, LA, Crimestoppers office, that an initiative to engage local ABC affiliate WWL-TV, in conjunction with local newspapers and radio stations, is being developed with the hope of bringing renewed attention to the fact that a murderer, who needs to be brought to justice, remains free within the New Orleans, LA, area.

Emphasizing the importance of the community's involvement, Deputy Chief Fred Williams of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's office affirmed that the investigation into Mrs. Mohammed's murder is ongoing: "Fresh leads in the investigation are being reviewed daily, including tips provided through Crimestoppers," he said.

Fakhri Mohammed, 45, still grief-stricken and endeavoring to care for his eight-year-old son, said that, "although the local community has been very helpful, there is still more that can be done.

"I would like to reiterate to the Muslim community the importance of this case,” Mohammed implored. “And to ask Muslim organizations to place it at the top of their agendas in order to bring nationwide attention to the murder of my wife and unborn child with the hope that together we will find this criminal."

MAS Freedom is renewing contact with various media outlets to solicit their support and is planning a major press conference, in conjunction with community mobilization and awareness, with the goal of launching a nationwide media campaign to bring more coverage to this tragic event.

There are currently two ways through which you can donate to the Iman Mohammed Reward Fund:

·         Send a check payable to: Iman Muhanna Mohammed Case, c/o West Bank Muslim Association, Inc., 448 Realty Drive, Gretna, LA 70056, or,

·         Send a check payable to: Crimestoppers, Inc., P.O. Box 55249, Metairie, LA 70055. Please be sure to type in the memo line: "In Memory of Mrs. Iman Muhammed."

A $45,000 reward is being offered for tips leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. If you, or anyone you know, has any information about Iman Mohammed’s murder, please contact Deputy Chief Fred Williams of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's office at (540) 364-5390 or (504) 364-5300, or contact Crimestoppers at (504) 822-111 or 1-877-903-STOP (7867). Callers do not have to give their names or testify.