On January 19, 2022, a stabbing incident occurred at a Muslim center in Lisbon, Portugal, leaving two people dead and several others injured. The attack took place during evening prayers at the Islamic Cultural Center of Lisbon, which is located in the central district of Martim Moniz.
According to reports, the attacker, a 29-year-old man of Portuguese nationality, entered the mosque and began stabbing people with a knife. The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but authorities have stated that they are treating it as a terrorist incident.
The two fatalities were identified as a 56-year-old man from Guinea-Bissau and a 68-year-old man from Egypt. Several others were injured, including a police officer who was stabbed while trying to apprehend the attacker. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, and their conditions are currently unknown.
The attack has been condemned by various political and religious leaders in Portugal, with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stating that “this is a heinous crime that goes against all our values of tolerance and coexistence.” Prime Minister António Costa also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and called for unity in the face of such violence.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Muslim communities in Portugal, particularly in light of rising Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe. The Islamic Community of Lisbon has called for increased security measures at mosques and other Muslim institutions in the country.
In response to the attack, Portuguese authorities have launched an investigation and arrested the suspect. The man is said to have a history of mental health issues and has reportedly made statements in support of extremist groups in the past.
The incident in Lisbon is not an isolated one, as attacks on Muslim communities have been on the rise in recent years. In March 2019, a gunman opened fire at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 people and injuring dozens more. In October 2020, a teacher was beheaded in a suburb of Paris after showing his students cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
The attack in Lisbon serves as a reminder of the need for greater efforts to combat hate and intolerance, and to promote understanding and respect for all communities. It is a tragedy that innocent people have lost their lives and been injured in such a senseless act of violence. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
