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Altrincham mosque stabbing: Surgeon attacked in 'hate crime' Altrincham mosque stabbing: Surgeon attacked in 'hate crime'
(about 5 hours later)
A doctor has been stabbed in the back of the neck on his way to a mosque in Greater Manchester, in a suspected hate crime. A doctor who was stabbed in the neck on his way to a mosque in a suspected hate crime said he "feared the worst".
Consultant surgeon Dr Nasser Kurdy was attacked outside the Altrincham and Hale Muslim Association at about 17:50 BST and was taken to hospital. Consultant surgeon Dr Nasser Kurdy was attacked outside the Altrincham and Hale Muslim Association at about 17:50 BST on Sunday.
He has since been discharged and a 54-year-old man and a 32-year-old who were arrested are being questioned. Dr Kurdy, who has been discharged from hospital, said he has "forgiven" his attacker and feels "no negative emotions".
Two men, aged 32 and 54, are being held for questioning over the attack.
'Total shock'
The 58-year-old was on his way to the mosque, where he is the vice-chairman and has led prayers, when the incident happened.
The orthopaedic surgeon, who works at Wythenshawe Hospital, said it was a "total shock" but added it "could've been much worse".
"From my profession I know that you get a blow like that, invariably it's a stabbing even though you don't feel a cut," he said.
"There's a lot of vital structures in that area and some of them can be fatal, there's no two ways about it, and some of them can be very disabling."
When asked about reportedly Islamophobic comments shouted at the time of the attack, Dr Kurdy said he can't divulge anything as his statement is with the police.
Greater Manchester Police have asked for any witnesses to come forward.Greater Manchester Police have asked for any witnesses to come forward.
Dr Kurdy heard Islamophobic comments at the time of the attack, community sources said.
Police said the 58-year-old was on his way to the mosque, where he is the vice-chairman and has led prayers, when he saw another man across the road.
"A short time later he felt an injury to the back of his neck. He ran into the centre and then called emergency services."
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said it was a "nasty and unprovoked attack" to a "much-loved" man.Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said it was a "nasty and unprovoked attack" to a "much-loved" man.
'Abusive comments''Abusive comments'
Dr Khalid Anis, a spokesman for the mosque, said: "It could have been very, very serious. Dr Khalid Anis, a spokesman for the mosque, said: "It could have been very, very serious...We understand it was a knife, he is very lucky.
"He [Dr Kurdy] said he noticed someone cross the road and then somebody just attacked him from behind.
"Obviously he was in shock at the time, he had just been stabbed, so the detail of those comments I don't know - but there were definitely abusive comments made by the attackers at the door of the mosque.
"We understand it was a knife, he is very lucky.
"It's a very unified town so for this to happen like this in the street, it is frightening.""It's a very unified town so for this to happen like this in the street, it is frightening."
Dr Anis added that Dr Kurdy is "in good spirits".
Akram Malik, chairman of the Altrincham and Hale Muslim Association, added: "It is devastating that someone has chosen to attack a community member, on his way to prayer.Akram Malik, chairman of the Altrincham and Hale Muslim Association, added: "It is devastating that someone has chosen to attack a community member, on his way to prayer.
"We pray that Dr Kurdy makes a full recovery and the perpetrator faces the full force of justice.""We pray that Dr Kurdy makes a full recovery and the perpetrator faces the full force of justice."
'Motivated by hate''Motivated by hate'
Iftikhar Awan, who attends the mosque with his wife and children, said the community was "in a state of shock".Iftikhar Awan, who attends the mosque with his wife and children, said the community was "in a state of shock".
He added that Dr Kurdy was treated in Wythenshawe Hospital, where he works as an orthopaedic surgeon. ACC Jackson added: "People will want to know why the attacker did this and we are treating this as a crime motivated by hate."
Det Insp Ben Cottam said Dr Kurdy was attacked "in broad daylight".
ACC Jackson added: "People will want to know why the attacker did this and we are treating this as a crime motivated by hate.
"It is difficult to say more than this at this time but there is nothing to suggest that this is terrorist related."
He said there would be an increased police presence in the areas to "reassure local people".He said there would be an increased police presence in the areas to "reassure local people".
The Muslim Council of Britain said it was shocked by the attack and urged the government to implement its "hate crime action plan".The Muslim Council of Britain said it was shocked by the attack and urged the government to implement its "hate crime action plan".