Accrington Mosque Area Hit by Double Stabbing

A wave of shocking violence has gripped Accrington, leaving two men critically injured and sparking widespread concern after a series of stabbings, one of which occurred perilously close to the Raza Jamia Masjid on Friday, July 18, 2025. The incidents have prompted a significant police response and raised unsettling questions about the increasing targeting of places of worship, Daily Dazzling Dawn understands.

Lancashire Police were first called to Lower Antley Street at approximately 2:37 PM, following reports that a man in his 40s had been attacked outside the Raza Jamia Masjid. He sustained a stab wound to his back and was rushed to the hospital, where his condition is described as serious but stable.

Later that same day, at around 5:15 PM, officers responded to reports of multiple individuals fighting with weapons on Steiner Street. Just minutes later, at 5:18 PM, a further assault was reported on Richmond Street, leading to the discovery of another man on Craven Street who had suffered a severe stab wound to the neck. His condition is currently described as "very poorly."

Police have confirmed they are treating all these incidents as linked, suggesting a connected chain of events. A significant breakthrough in the investigation came with the arrest of a 33-year-old man of no fixed address on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in custody. In addition to this, three other individuals from Accrington – a 36-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman, and a 36-year-old woman – have been arrested on suspicion of affray and also remain in custody.

Despite the ongoing investigation and increased police presence, the Raza Jamia Masjid remains open for prayers, a testament to the resilience of the local Muslim community.

Why Mosques Become Targets: A Disturbing Trend

The proximity of one of the stabbings to the Raza Jamia Masjid has intensified anxieties within the community and beyond, highlighting a disturbing trend of mosques and Muslim communities increasingly becoming targets of violence and hate. While the police have not yet released details on the motive behind Friday's attacks in Accrington, incidents near places of worship often trigger fears of religiously motivated aggression.

Mosques, as visible symbols of Islamic faith and community hubs, can unfortunately become focal points for individuals or groups harboring anti-Muslim sentiments or those seeking to sow division and fear. This vulnerability is often exacerbated by rising Islamophobia, which fuels prejudiced narratives and can manifest in various forms of aggression, from verbal abuse to physical attacks and vandalism. Attacking a mosque can be seen by perpetrators as a powerful symbolic act to intimidate an entire community and undermine their sense of security, often driven by bias and classified as a hate crime. Like any public gathering place, mosques can also be vulnerable to attacks if security measures are not robust enough.

Recent Incidents Mirror Broader Concerns

The Accrington events, while under investigation for their specific motives, resonate with a broader pattern of recent attacks and disturbing incidents involving mosques and Muslim communities globally. In March 2024, the United Kingdom continued to see reports of increased anti-Muslim hate crimes, including vandalism of mosque properties. Earlier that year, in February 2024, a mosque in Quebec City, Canada – a site of a deadly shooting in 2017 – reported new instances of vandalism and threatening graffiti. January 2024 saw several mosques in France facing threats and minor acts of vandalism, leading to increased security. Similarly, a study released in December 2023 indicated a rise in Islamophobic incidents in Germany, including attacks on mosque attendees and property. These incidents underscore the urgent need for heightened awareness, robust security measures, and concerted efforts to combat hate speech and prejudice that can incite such violence.

Community Urges Calm and Cooperation

In the wake of Friday's events, County Councillor for Accrington West and Oswaldtwistle Central, Sohail Asghar, has urged the community to remain calm and avoid "unnecessary speculation," emphasizing the importance of allowing police to conduct their thorough investigation. This plea reflects the delicate balance between informing the public and preventing further unrest or the propagation of misinformation.

Lancashire Police are appealing to anyone with information or footage related to these incidents to come forward. They can be contacted by calling 101, quoting log 1245 of 18th July 2025.