February 21, 2008 | 5:32 pm

Police report Iranian Jew shot by his brother in Beverly Hills

Posted by Karmel Melamed

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According to a report released by the Beverly Hills police department, last night at 9 pm, Alfred Hakim, a 49 year old Beverly Hills resident was allegedly shot by his 47-year-old brother Adel Hakim in the 400 block of North Palm Drive.  Local Iranian Jewish leaders declined to comment on the incident but confirmed that both brothers are Iranian Jews. While no motive has been identified by police, Alfred Hakim is listed in critical condition at nearby Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Adel Hakim according to the report is being held by police without bail after being arrested following a traffic accident.

This tragedy has indeed been a shock for the local Iranian Jewish community as incidents of shootings, killings, or this type of violence are very rare for member of our community to be involved in. For the most part, L.A. area Iranian Jews are affluent, well educated and law abiding. During my reporting on the community over the last eights years I have heard of incidents of Iranian Jews being killed in robberies or involved in domestic violence and drug abuse, but never come across news of such violence between two Iranian Jews. Many in the tight-knit Iranian Jewish community in L.A. typically consider talking about these events as taboo and bringing shame to one’s family. Others who hear of such tragic occurrences fear for the future of the Iranian Jewish community’s survival in America’s open society.