An 18-year-old youth was stabbed to death near a mosque in England’s West Midlands during the holy month of Ramzan, prompting a murder probe by West Midlands Police.
The incident occurred outside Oldbury Jamia Masjid while large numbers of worshippers were inside offering evening Taraweeh prayers. Many remained unaware of the violence until emergency services reached the scene and cordoned off the area, media reports said.
Police were alerted to reports of disorder on Oldbury Road in Smethwick, near Birmingham, shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. Responding officers found the teenager with critical injuries; he was declared dead at the scene.
Authorities later identified the victim as Zeshan Afzal.
Two other men, aged 19 and 22, were also injured and taken to the hospital, though their wounds are not considered life-threatening.
Police said the killing is not currently being treated as racially or religiously motivated despite taking place outside a mosque during Ramadan. Investigators described the inquiry as being at an early stage as they work to establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible.
Officers are examining CCTV footage and carrying out further local enquiries, urging witnesses or anyone with relevant information to come forward. Additional patrols have been deployed in the area to reassure residents.
