Key takeaways:
- Imam Sayed Elnakib of the Omar Mosque in Paterson, New Jersey was attacked while leading prayer.
- The suspect, Serif Zorba, 32, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses.
- The attack has been met with shock and outrage from the local community, and the Omar Mosque has been a staple of the Paterson community for over 20 years.
On Sunday morning, Imam Sayed Elnakib of the Omar Mosque in Paterson, New Jersey was attacked while leading prayer. According to Abdul Hamden, a spokesperson for the mosque, a person wearing a hoodie in the third row moved to the front of the room, stepping over other worshippers, and then thrust his right hand into the back of the kneeling imam, stabbing him multiple times in the back.
The suspect, identified as Serif Zorba, 32, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses. Imam Elnakib is in stable condition.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the incident and has released a statement saying that they are “committed to ensuring the safety of all members of our community, regardless of their faith.”
The attack has been met with shock and outrage from the local community. “This is a place of worship, and for something like this to happen is just unbelievable,” said one local resident. “We are all in shock and praying for the Imam’s recovery.”
The Omar Mosque has been a staple of the Paterson community for over 20 years, and the attack has left many feeling violated and scared. “This is a place of peace, and we will not let this act of violence define us,” said Hamden. “We will continue to pray for the safety of our community and for the swift recovery of Imam Elnakib.”
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