#IllWalkWithYou rallies support for Muslim Americans following Imam shooting

Inspired by a similar hashtag that trended following the Sydney Siege in 2014, people around the world are showing their support to New York Muslims and Muslim Americans in general.

Hundreds of mourners have gathered in New York for the outdoor funeral for a murdered Muslim imam.

Following the shooting of Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55 and his assistant Thara Uddin, 64, in New York on Saturday August 13, the social media hashtag #IllWalkWithYou began trending on Twitter. 

Police reported the Imam and his assistant were shot from behind, near the Al-Furqan Jame mosque in Queens, but cannot confirm whether the attack was faith-related.

The hashtag offers solidarity to Muslim New Yorkers and Muslim Americans in the face Islamophobia following the attack. Each tweet offers to accompany Muslim Americans on their walk to and from mosque if they don't feel safe to do so alone.

The hashtag has become a worldwide phenomenon, with people across the globe pledging their support to the greater American Muslim community.