Hawzah News Agency (London, UK) - Worshippers have been urged to still attend Friday prayers as normal following a fatal stabbing near a London mosque. The area was sealed off by armed police during the hunt for suspects. The victim, believed to be in his early 20s, was stabbed to death and found in North West London, at about 6.15pm on Thursday, police said. Police have yet to confirm a motive for the attack but have said it was not terror-related.

Unconfirmed reports from witnesses said they saw two men being detained in handcuffs. The mosque urged worshippers to carry on as normal.
Safety confirmed by police: “All staff and attendees to the mosque are safe and we look forward to seeing you all at Friday prayers tomorrow Insha-Allah,” a statement said. The victim was treated at the scene in Elmton Court, Cunningham Place, by medics from the London Ambulance Service but died later in hospital, the Met said. Armed officers could be seen searching stairwells and the outside area at the back of the mosque – including one part of the building under a large patio – at well past 11pm. At about 11.30pm, the cordons around the mosque were moved and roads reopened, and armed officers could also be seen leaving the scene.
Terrifying police chase: Witness Bahir Moulana told the Press Association that, as he was walking towards the mosque, police were pushing people back before they closed the main gate. With a number of armed officers at the scene, the 39-year-old said it gave him the “jitters” especially after the recent attack at two mosques in New Zealand. “I saw all the blue lights and my heart was in my mouth,” Mr Moulana said. With worshippers eventually let out of the building, he added: “There was one girl who said she saw two guys run in. Someone else told me the police were chasing them.”