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An imam in the US state of New Jersey was stabbed while leading prayers early Sunday morning during the holy month of Ramadan, according to news . 

The attacker, who was subdued by worshippers, had stabbed the imam, Sayed Elnakib, repeatedly in the back, leaving him with serious but non-fatal wounds, which sent him to the hospital.

He has been identified by prosecutors as Serif Zorba, an occasional attendee of the mosque in the city of Paterson, who has been charged with attempted murder.

Though Alnakib is in stable condition, he did require surgery and reportedly suffered liver damage.

As of Sunday, a motive for the attack is not known, though community members described Zorba as someone who was isolated and would sit away from others.

The city said it would step up its police presence around mosques so that worshippers would not be afraid to pray.