A doctor has been stabbed in the back of the neck on his way to a mosque in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Police is treating the incident as a hate crime and asked any witnesses to come forward.
Consultant surgeon Dr Nasser Kurdy was attacked outside the Altrincham and Hale Muslim Association at 17:50 BST and was taken to hospital.
Dr Kurdy, who has led prayers at the mosque as an imam, heard Islamophobic comments at the time of the attack, community sources said.
At around 5.50pm on Sunday 24 September 2017 police were called to reports that a man had been stabbed outside the Islamic Cultural Centre, Grove Lane.
Emergency services attended and a man in his 60s has been taken to hospital with a stab wound to the back of his neck.
Two men aged 54 and 32 in custody who were arrested a short time after the call came in. Both men were arrested nearby in connection with the incident and remain in custody for questioning.
GMP’s Detective Inspector Ben Cottam, said: “As with any investigation, our primary concern is for the victim and, thanks to the quick response from our colleagues in the ambulance service, he is currently receiving treatment for his injuries.
“He was attacked in broad daylight as he made his way to the mosque and while we are yet to gather all the evidence, we can be sure that there is no place for hate crime on our streets and we will do all that we can to take action against those who jeopardize the safety of others.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1646 of 24/09/17 or the independent charity Crime-stoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.