A Muslim leader returned to one of Britain’s biggest mosques today with his arm in a sling less than 24 hours after being stabbed – and said he has forgiven his attacker.
Raafat Maglad, 70, collapsed when he was allegedly stabbed in the neck or shoulder by a 29-year-old man who was standing behind him with a five-inch kitchen knife.
Amid the mayhem yesterday, 20 worshippers pinned the knifeman to the ground, while others administered first aid to Mr. Maglad at the London Central Mosque.
The Metropolitan Police arrived minutes later to the mosque near Regent’s Park shortly after 3 pm and arrested the attacker on suspicion of attempted murder.
Today, Mr. Maglad, who leads the call to prayer five times a day, returned to the mosque after being released this morning from a hospital’s major trauma unit.
Mr. Maqlad was flanked by security at the mosque today, saying: ‘I forgive him. I feel no hatred for him, he’s a human being and what happened to me is my fate.
‘However, the law must be implemented. All I can remember is someone approaching me from behind and then feeling great pain in my neck.
‘He did not say anything to me. It was a really deep cut. I rushed myself out of the room and someone rushed me to hospital.
‘I’m still in pain but I wanted to come here today and pray. I felt it was important to do that but now I’m returning to the hospital. I don’t know the man. I have seen him in the mosque before but I don’t know much about him.’
Maglad, who had his arm in a sling as he was escorted into the mosque by security, said it was “very important” for him to attend Friday prayers, adding: “If I miss it, I just miss something very important. It is very important for us as Muslims,” he added.
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Addressing worshippers over the loudspeaker system after prayers had ended, Sadiq Khan urged people to remain vigilant and reassured them that police would maintain a presence at the mosque, particularly as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.
“If you see anybody acting suspiciously please be the eyes and ears of our police so they can keep us safe.”
A 29-year-old man who is believed to have been attending prayers was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of attempted murder inside the mosque, officially known as London Central Mosque.
