During early morning prayers at a mosque in Paterson, N.J., an imam was stabbed on Sunday by a man who was later restrained by worshipers and apprehended by authorities.

According to community sources and officials, the suspect was identified as Serif Zorba, 32, and has been charged with attempted murder in the first degree, DNYUZ reported.

According to a news release from the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, after 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, congregants at the Omar Mosque in Paterson, NJ had already subdued Serif Zorba by the time the police arrived.

The victim, identified as Sayed Elnakib, was the imam at the mosque and suffered nonfatal stab wounds, as reported by DNYUZ.

He was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center and underwent surgery for injuries that included liver damage, according to community member Sikander Khan.

Khan, who is co-chairman of the Muslim caucus of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee and a Paterson city employee, reported that the attack occurred during the beginning of morning prayers, when the assailant, an unknown person to other congregants and not an active member, suddenly stabbed Elnakib several times.

The suspect, Serif Zorba, 32, has been charged with first-degree attempted murder.

Written by staff