Mosque founder stabbed during prayers in Ctg

The founder of a mosque and a madrasa was stabbed from behind while he was offering Maghrib prayers at a mosque in Chittagong's Fatikchhari upazila yesterday evening.

The victim, Hafez Moulana Mohammad Shah Alam Noimi, 57, is the founder of Imam Abu Hanifa Rahmania Jame Mosque and Moinia Sunniya Madrasa in Paindong union of the upazila.

 He was receiving treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, police said, adding that he was out of danger.

The attacker, Mohammad Salauddin, aged around 20, is in police custody.

Quoting locals, Abu Yusuf Mia, officer-in-charge of Fatikchhari Police Station, told The Daily Star that Salauddin stabbed Shah Alam from behind while he was offering Maghrib prayers at Imam Abu Hanifa Rahmania Jame Mosque.

Worshippers then caught Salauddin, who is from the same union, and gave him a good beating, he said.

Being informed, Fatikchhari police rushed to the spot and rescued the youth, the OC said.

“We still don't know why he [Salauddin] stabbed the moulana,” OC Abu Yusuf said, adding that the motive behind the attack would be known after interrogation.

Sub-Inspector Jahir of CMCH police outpost said, “Shah Alam is out of danger now.”

The moulana is revered by locals and he has a good number of followers, he said.