Manchester (Monitoring Desk): A 40-year-old man was arrested after entering a mosque in Manchester, UK, during Tarawih prayers carrying a knife and an axe. Police stated that the suspect is also believed to possess weapons and drugs, but the incident has not been classified as terrorism. Authorities are still searching for an accomplice.
Community member Afzal Khan described the incident as Islamophobic. According to mosque officials, a white male wearing a jacket and carrying a bag entered the mosque, accompanied by a black male.
Volunteers at the mosque noticed an axe in the bag and moved the individual to a separate room, where additional weapons, including a knife and a hammer, were recovered. Officials expressed confusion over why the police are not labeling the incident as terrorism.
UK Secretary Keir Starmer stated in a message on X that he is concerned by the incident, noting that such events during Ramadan cause distress to the Muslim community.
