A suspect who joined about 200 worshipers for Fajr prayers attacked the imam of a New Jersey mosque with a knife early on Sunday morning, critically injuring him, has been arrested.
Prosecutors in Paterson, New Jersey said that the 65-year-old Imam Sayed Elnakib of the Omar mosque, located at 501 Getty Avenue, was attacked by a suspect who had knelt with other worshipers during the mosque's prayers. Imam Elnakib was treated for "non-fatal" injuries and transported right away to Saint Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson.
According to the prosecutor's office, the defendant was quickly restrained at the mosque. Serif Zorba, 32, was named as the attacker. Zorba had frequented the mosque, according to worshippers, but he was not a member.
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 police said immediately subdued and held him until police arrived.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said that if convicted, Zorba could face up to 20 years in prison.
Prosecutors in Paterson, New Jersey said that the 65-year-old Imam Sayed Elnakib of the Omar mosque, located at 501 Getty Avenue, was attacked by a suspect who had knelt with other worshipers during the mosque's prayers. Imam Elnakib was treated for "non-fatal" injuries and transported right away to Saint Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson.
According to the prosecutor's office, the defendant was quickly restrained at the mosque. Serif Zorba, 32, was named as the attacker. Zorba had frequented the mosque, according to worshippers, but he was not a member.
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 police said immediately subdued and held him until police arrived.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said that if convicted, Zorba could face up to 20 years in prison.
