Imam Seriously Injured in Knife Attack at New Jersey Mosque
Date
4/11/2023 3:12:05 AM
(MENAFN) In the early hours of Sunday morning, an imam at a mosque in Paterson, New Jersey, was seriously injured during a knife attack by a suspect who had joined around 200 worshippers for Fajr prayers. According to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, the victim, Imam Sayed Elnakib, 65, of the Omar mosque, was attacked by a suspect who had knelt with other worshippers during the prayers. The suspect was later identified as 32-year-old Serif Zorba, who had been to the mosque many times but was not a member of it.
Zorba rushed at Imam Elnakib while he was leading the prayers at about 5:37 a.m. After stabbing Imam Elnakib several times, Zorba turned to escape by running through worshippers who immediately subdued and held him until police arrived. Imam Elnakib was immediately taken to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson for treatment of “non-fatal” injuries.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said that the suspect was immediately restrained at the mosque and has been charged with attempted murder, first degree; possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third degree; and unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth degree. If convicted, Zorba could face up to 20 years in prison. “The sentencing exposure for Serif Zorba on first-degree attempted murder is 10 to 20 years at a New Jersey state prison with 85 percent of the term to be served before parole eligibility, pursuant to the ‘no early release act’ and five years of parole supervision upon release," Valdes added.
The motive behind the attack is still unknown, but the incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of mosques and other religious institutions. Many have condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the Muslim community in New Jersey.
In response to the attack, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on law enforcement authorities to investigate the incident as a hate crime. "We urge state and federal law enforcement authorities to work together to bring the perpetrator to justice," said James Sues, executive director of CAIR's New Jersey chapter. "We also ask for stepped-up police patrols in the area of local mosques and Islamic centers."
In conclusion, the knife attack on Imam Sayed Elnakib at the Omar mosque in Paterson, New Jersey, has raised concerns about the safety and security of mosques and other religious institutions. The motive behind the attack is still unknown, but many have condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with the Muslim community in New Jersey. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on law enforcement authorities to investigate the incident as a hate crime and to increase police patrols in the area of local mosques and Islamic centers.
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