Sayed El-Naked, Imam of the Omar Mosque in Paterson, was stabbed by an attacker who hid in the congregation while leading the morning prayer on Sunday, April 9.
Imam Stabbed While Leading Prayer
Imam Sayed Elnakib, 65, was punctured a minor twice a week as he knelt during devotion assistance around 5:30 a.m., an Omar Mosque spokesman said. Nation video captured the attack, allegedly exhibiting the 32-year-old Zorba among the congregants unexpectedly bringing in his life way to the semblance of the chamber in the average of prayer to impale the imam.
The attacker, Serif Zorba, 32, was caught on the mosque’s security camera jumping over the congregation and stabbing the 65-year-old imam with a knife. Zorba was caught by the worshippers and handed over to the police. He was also seen threatening people who tried to stop him. El-Nakib was taken to the Saint Joseph Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“Zorba is charged with Attempted Murder, First Degree; Possession Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Third Degree; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Fourth Degree,” said a statement from Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. Zorba said he is from Istanbul and came to the US a while ago and communicated with the court through a Turkish translator. The mosque administration detailed the attack but did not mention Zorba’s motives in a statement, adding the investigation is ongoing.
READ ALSO: Following Orders To Stop Shooting In Popular Area, 3 American Tourists Were Stabbed In Puerto Rico