Manchester Central Mosque, located on Upper Park Road in Victoria Park, became the scene of a concerning incident on Tuesday evening, February 24. Two men reportedly entered the building with bags, one believed to contain an axe and the other a hammer and a knife, acting suspiciously during a congregation involving hundreds of worshippers observing Ramadan. Volunteers at the mosque quickly noticed their behavior, prompting an immediate response.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) swiftly launched an investigation. One man, observed wearing high-visibility clothing, was arrested and remains in custody, with weapons including an axe and a knife having been seized. Police are actively engaged in scouring CCTV footage and are continuing their search for the second man involved in the incident. While detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing North West are assisting with the investigation, authorities have explicitly stated that the incident has not been declared a terrorist event.

Hammad Khan, president of Manchester Central Mosque, addressed the public on Wednesday evening, February 25, emphasizing the imperative that places of worship remain sanctuaries for all people across Greater Manchester and globally. He expressed gratitude to various local leaders and leaders of other faith communities for their solidarity, highlighting Manchester's history as a cohesive, multi-faith community. Khan also voiced serious concerns about the rising threat of Islamophobia, describing it as a