The Imam of the Omar ibn Al-Khattab Mosque in Paterson, New Jersey, USA, was stabbed while prostrating in the Fajr prayer, while leading more than 200 people praying at that time, according to the "northjersey" website.

Officials told the media that the attacker was not among the community members who frequent the mosque, but he had been seen in the mosque before.

The mosque's Imam, Sayyed Naqeeb, aged 65, was transported to the hospital to treat his wounds, while the suspect who stabbed him, named "Sharif Zorba," aged 32, was arrested. His motives are still unknown.

Zorba has been charged with first-degree attempted murder and is scheduled to appear in court for the first time this Monday afternoon, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.

Meanwhile, the Imam’s brother, Abdul Naqeeb, explained that his brother was stabbed twice, while the mosque spokesman, Abdul Hamdan, confirmed that the incident was an "isolated incident," attributing the Imam’s survival to the quick action of the worshipers who caught the suspect as he attempted to flee.

He continued: "I encourage everyone to communicate with each other for moral and psychological support, and to work on creating a safe and welcoming environment for all who enter the mosque. I am confident that with love, understanding, and respect, our entire community will emerge from this stronger than ever."

On his part, the Mayor of Paterson, André Sayegh, who visited the injured Imam in the hospital, said: "We appreciate the efforts of those who managed to apprehend the attacker here, and we also want to reassure the family and the worshippers in the mosque that there will be increased police attention."

He added: "This is the holiest month for Muslims, and we want to emphasize that the safety and security of those coming to pray are a priority for us, and that we take this situation very seriously."