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Authorities detained a man after he entered Manchester Central Mosque in Rusholme reportedly carrying an axe, a knife, and other weapons. The incident occurred around 20:40 GMT on Tuesday during Taraweeh prayers, when volunteers at the mosque noticed suspicious behavior from two individuals. One of the men, described as a white man wearing a high-visibility jacket and carrying a large bag, was found to be in possession of several weapons, including an axe, a knife, and a hammer. The mosque volunteers intervened, escorting him to a separate room before contacting the police.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that a man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possession of Class B drugs. Officers remain in search of a second man, described as black, in his late 40s, with an athletic build, wearing a grey hoodie and navy jacket with their hoods up. GMP highlighted that no threats were made, and no injuries occurred during the incident. Assistant Chief Constable John Webster explained that the arrested individual had claimed he was at the mosque to perform work on the building; however, mosque staff had no prior knowledge of this, leading to their concerns and the police being called.
The mosque, which had about 2,000 worshippers present at the time, expressed the view that the quick and responsible actions of its volunteers possibly averted a much graver outcome. The statement from the mosque also addressed the broader context, highlighting a significant rise in Islamophobic incidents across the UK in recent years and emphasizing the urgent need for increased resources to confront these threats. Cooperation with the police continues, and mosque leadership has urged worshippers to stay vigilant. They also provided CCTV footage to support the ongoing investigation.
In response to the incident, Afzal Khan, the Manchester Rusholme Member of Parliament, condemned it as an example of “Islamophobia, plain and simple” and linked it to the scapegoating of Muslims by far-right politicians. He has been in contact with Greater Manchester Police, mosque representatives, and senior local and national officials. Khan noted recent government announcements of increased funding to protect mosques and regarded the event as a clear demonstration of why such support is vital. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also expressed concern about the attack, praising the mosque volunteers and emergency services for their swift response, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring Muslim communities can live “without fear.
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