(SEATTLE, WA, 1/5/2024) – The Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today mourns the death of another rideshare driver in Washington.
A 31-year-old Somali-American rideshare driver, Abdulkadir Shariff Gedi, was shot by a pedestrian while driving in Edmonds in the evening on Wednesday, January 3, and later died of his injuries. Gedi is the sixth rideshare driver killed on the job in the Seattle Metro area since 2019.
SEE:‘He wanted to live the American dream’: Rideshare workers remember Uber driver killed in Edmonds
“Although we do not yet know the motive behind this crime, it continues the disturbing trend of Muslim, African and immigrant rideshare drivers being violently targeted,” said Imraan Siddiqi, CAIR-WA’s executive director. “We call on law enforcement to apprehend the suspect and bring them to justice swiftly.”
SEE:‘Lyft, Uber drivers in Seattle push for additional safety measures
The Seattle Rideshare Drivers Association, a driver organization founded to represent the interest of Uber and Lyft drivers In Seattle, are raising funds to help with funeral costs for Gedi, who was active in his mosque, Abubakr Islamic Center of WA in Tukwila.
The Edmonds Police Department asks residents in the area of 236th and Edmonds Way to check surveillance camera footage from around 10:00 pm on Wednesday night. Anyone who has information about the identity of the shooter is asked to call 911.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT:
CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi, imraansiddiqi@cair.com
CAIR-WA Senior Communications and Marketing Strategist Katie Walker, 425-367-9116, kwalker@cair.com