Counter-terror police have been called in to assist with an investigation after a concerning incident at Manchester Central Mosque on Tuesday evening, February 24. Two men, one armed with an axe and a knife, entered the mosque during sacred Ramadan prayers, alarming over 1,000 worshippers. Mosque volunteers, displaying remarkable vigilance, spotted one man acting suspiciously with a large bag and intervened.

The incident unfolded around 8:40 PM at the mosque located on Upper Park Road in Victoria Park, south Manchester. Volunteers observed a white male, described as being in his 50s and wearing a hi-vis jacket, carrying a large bag with what appeared to be an axe sticking out. They swiftly and calmly escorted him to a separate office, ensuring he left the suspicious bag, which also contained a knife, in the main hall. The man remained collected and conversed with volunteers until police arrived, claiming he was at the mosque for work, a statement staff had no knowledge of. He was later heard shouting 'I’m not a terrorist!' as police led him away.

Upon police arrival, the man was arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possession of Class B drugs. It was also discovered that he had materials relating to the Second World War and newspaper cuttings in his possession. Hammad Khan, 46, chair of the mosque, stated that the arrested man had visited the mosque a few times before, though never in a hi-vis jacket. Khan emphasized that carrying weapons into a place of worship, regardless of verbal threats, constitutes a significant threat.

Further investigation revealed the arrested man had been accompanied by a second suspect, described as a black male approximately in his late 40s, with an athletic build and short stubbled facial hair. He was seen wearing a grey hoodie, a navy blue jacket, blue tracksuit bottoms, and white trainers. This second individual reportedly split from the white male at the entrance, loitered outside during the confrontation, and left the premises shortly before police arrived. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has launched an intensive manhunt for this second suspect, actively reviewing CCTV and body-worn video footage.

Initially, GMP stated the incident was not being treated as terror-related. However, Assistant Chief Constable John Webster later confirmed that while the suspect's intent remains unclear, Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) detectives are now collaborating on the investigation to explore 'every line of inquiry'. Despite this, it has not been officially declared a terrorist incident. Police superintendents, including Simon Nasim and John Webster, have reassured the public that an increased police presence, with officers working 12-hour shifts, will be maintained around mosques in the area, particularly during Ramadan, which is a significant time for Muslim communities. They urged vigilance and advised attendees to travel in groups and not leave children unattended.

The incident has deeply impacted the Muslim community, with Maryam Khan, a worshipper, describing it as