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Man held as four stabbed at mosque in Birmingham | Man held as four stabbed at mosque in Birmingham |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after four people, including a policeman, were stabbed at a mosque in Birmingham. | A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after four people, including a policeman, were stabbed at a mosque in Birmingham. |
Officers were called to the mosque on Washwood Heath Road in Ward End at about 23:00 BST on Saturday. | Officers were called to the mosque on Washwood Heath Road in Ward End at about 23:00 BST on Saturday. |
West Midlands Police said three men were found with stab injuries. | West Midlands Police said three men were found with stab injuries. |
As police arrested the man, who is 32 years old, the officer was also wounded. All four are in a stable condition in hospital. | As police arrested the man, who is 32 years old, the officer was also wounded. All four are in a stable condition in hospital. |
The incident began during the final prayer session of the evening. | The incident began during the final prayer session of the evening. |
Eyewitnesses report that a man of Somali appearance began attacking worshippers with a machete. | Eyewitnesses report that a man of Somali appearance began attacking worshippers with a machete. |
Domestic dispute | Domestic dispute |
Dr Arshad Mahmood, who was at the mosque, said: "A man started stabbing one of the guys who was just sitting right next to him. | Dr Arshad Mahmood, who was at the mosque, said: "A man started stabbing one of the guys who was just sitting right next to him. |
"I don't know what exactly was the reason but he just started stabbing him. | "I don't know what exactly was the reason but he just started stabbing him. |
"We went to save him. He had multiple injuries, three or four wounds. | "We went to save him. He had multiple injuries, three or four wounds. |
"Then the policeman came and was also attacked and stabbed." | "Then the policeman came and was also attacked and stabbed." |
Mohammed Shafiq, the leader of national Muslim organisation the Ramadhan Foundation, said his thoughts were with the injured and their families. | Mohammed Shafiq, the leader of national Muslim organisation the Ramadhan Foundation, said his thoughts were with the injured and their families. |
"I have spoken to someone who lives a few doors down from the mosque and they described hearing an argument between some of the people inside. | "I have spoken to someone who lives a few doors down from the mosque and they described hearing an argument between some of the people inside. |
"It escalated into violence and a police officer has been stabbed." | "It escalated into violence and a police officer has been stabbed." |
According to Mr Shafiq, a nearby resident believed the dispute was a domestic incident between mosque members. | According to Mr Shafiq, a nearby resident believed the dispute was a domestic incident between mosque members. |
'Shocking' | 'Shocking' |
The mosque involved is the Washwood Heath Muslim Centre in Ward End. | |
The Birmingham Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne, who has visited the scene, said: "Police and the community have been working together through the night and early this morning and what's very clear is that this is a sad, tragic and isolated incident. | The Birmingham Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne, who has visited the scene, said: "Police and the community have been working together through the night and early this morning and what's very clear is that this is a sad, tragic and isolated incident. |
"It's not a hate crime. | "It's not a hate crime. |
"What's really important now is that everybody stays very calm and we let the wheels of justice turn." | "What's really important now is that everybody stays very calm and we let the wheels of justice turn." |
Ansar Ali Khan, the city councillor for Washwood Heath, said people will have been attending the mosque for local prayers. | Ansar Ali Khan, the city councillor for Washwood Heath, said people will have been attending the mosque for local prayers. |
"We've never had a problem, we always have a very peaceful situation in this area," he said. | "We've never had a problem, we always have a very peaceful situation in this area," he said. |
"This is shocking for me to know the police officer has been stabbed as well." | "This is shocking for me to know the police officer has been stabbed as well." |
Officers are conducting patrols in the area in a bid to reassure local people, a spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said. | Officers are conducting patrols in the area in a bid to reassure local people, a spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said. |