New Jersey Police Tighten Mosque Security After Imam's Stabbing While Leading Prayers

Illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Tony Webster)

JAKARTA - The United States City Authority, New Jersey decided to increase the presence of security forces in all Muslim places of worship, after the stabbing of a priest who was leading the prayer, while the suspect who was arrested pleaded not guilty.

Imam Sayed Elnakib (65) was in stable condition and was hospitalized on Monday, after being stabbed while leading the prayers at the Omar Mosque, personal.

Local officials on Monday said police presence would remain for five times at community mosques.

"There are always enhanced patrols in places of worship - especially during these holy months," said a personal police official, quoted by The National News on April 11.

"But I think with this special event, we put some things very, very, very specific," he continued.

Meanwhile, Father Mayor Andre Sayegh, who is married to a Muslim, said he was "waiting the priest to return this week and next week to celebrate Eid al-Fitr".

Meanwhile, Representative of the City Council oferson and member of the Aala mosque "Al" Abdelaziz said, "the community is rising again".

"We had thousands of people here last night. We want to continue the show of strength and unification, this community is a tough community," he said.

Officials praised the congregation's swift action in responding to the knife attack, saying "more than half" of them were united to arrest the attackers of the authorities arriving at the scene.

"I want people to realize that this attack could be much worse, suspects could have claimed more victims," said Abdelaziz.

"The congregation on the floor prays, no one can see (the suspect). Because of their heroic actions, they must have saved other victims from the stabbing and they are heroes," he said.

Sunday officials identified Serif Zorba, who is now in police custody, as a suspect in the attack.

In his first appearance at Monday's trial, Serif Zorba, through a Turkish translator, pleaded not guilty to allegations of attempted murder and illegal possession of weapons, citing CBS News.

Zorba was named a suspect after the surveillance video recorded him as he walked forward to stab Imam Sayed Elnakib.

Police on Monday called the stabbing a "surprisant act" and said they did not have enough information to determine whether the attack constituted a racial crime.

Apart from the Omar Mosque, Zorba is known to have gone to another mosque during Ramadan. Hasan Oren, President of the Mevlana Mosque, told Zorba there the night before the stabbing.

"He's been coming to our mosque since Ramadan started, like the last 15 days. He's normal, like, he comes and prays and leaves," he told CBS2.

New Jersey is home to the state's largest Muslim population. After the attack, Muslims and their allies packed the mosque to support it on Monday, local officials said.

First Muslim Legal Directorerson Aymen Aboushhi said the community's integrated response showed "joint values" across the diverse population of Paterson's religion.

"I think the response of the community... means this is unacceptable and will not continue or happen. Now Muslims are gathering here peacefully and they want everyone to know that the mosque is open, the mosque is safe and we welcome those who come and pray here," he said.

Sayegh told the public, "Your protection is our priority".

"Freedom of religion and the freedom to pray in any way you want, wherever you want, without having to think about your safety," he said.

It is known that Zorba, who is being held in prison, will undergo his next trial on April 13.