British police have charged a 29-year-old man over the stabbing of an official at one of London’s biggest mosques during afternoon prayers.
Daniel Horton is due in court Saturday to face charges of grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article.
Police say they do not think the attack was terrorism-related.
Police stand outside the London Central Mosque, near Regent's Park, north London, Friday Feb. 21, 2020, where a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an official at one of London's biggest mosques was stabbed during afternoon prayers on Thursday, police and mosque authorities said. (Kirsty O'ConnorPA via AP)
Raafat Maglad, who is in his 70s, was stabbed in the shoulder as prayers began Thursday at the London Central Mosque. He worked as the muezzin, the person who calls Muslims to prayer.
He was treated in a London hospital but returned to attend prayers Friday.
Maglad said he forgave his attacker.
Police outside London Central Mosque in Regent's Park, where police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder, in London, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Police in London said a man was stabbed during afternoon prayers at one of the city's biggest mosques Thursday and officers detained another man on suspicion of attempted murder. The Metropolitan Police force said officers called to the London Central Mosque found a man in his 70s with stab wounds. Paramedics treated the man before he was taken to a hospital, where his injuries were determined as not life-threatening, the force said. (Victoria JonesPA via AP)
"I forgive him. I feel very sorry for him," he said.
Stabbing victim Muslim prayer leader Raafat Maglad arrives at the London Central Mosque after being released from hospital, Friday Feb. 21, 2020. A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an official at one of London's biggest mosques was stabbed during afternoon prayers on Thursday. (Kirsty O'ConnorPA via AP)