Dr Nasser Kurdy keeps pressure on his neck after being stabbed as he made his way to mosque

:: An Imam at a British mosque was stabbed in neck upon arrival at Altrincham Islamic Centre, in Altrincham, Manchester, on Sunday evening.

The Imam, Dr. Nasser Kurdy, 58, was on his way to lead evening prayers at the mosque when someone stabbed him in the neck from behind, then fleeing the scene. Kurdy was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment.

Anti-Islam

According to eyewitnesses, the attacker repeated anti-Islamic phrases while attacking the imam, who is also a surgeon. The attack is being referred to as a hate crime.

The wound appeared to be 3 cm deep, however it did not threaten the imam’s life, said one of Kurdy’s friends. Kurdy will remain in the hospital for two days for recovery.

Meanwhile, police have arrested two local suspects, a 32-year-old and the other 54.

Altrincham mosque’s spokesperson said: “Manchester has never witnessed a crime like this before. It is a crime that does not reflect its community’s nature in any way.”

However, the centre’s secretary, Amjad Latif, contradicted the spokesperson’s statements. Latif said the centre’s headquarters has been under a series of racial attacks in the last few months. “Glass has been broken four time since April,” he added.