NEW DELHI - The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid in Indian capital New Delhi, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, was attacked by a man who tried to set him on fire during Sunday evening prayers, reported Indian media.
The incident took place at the Jama Masjid when a man in his early 30s approached the Shahi Imam while the latter was praying, poured kerosene on him and tried to set him ablaze, younger brother Tariq Bukhari told reporters. But the attacker failed to harm the Shahi Imam.
"The Shahi Imam did not receive any external injury," Tariq Bukhari said. "The man was later caught by the Imam's security personnel and others who were praying. He was handed over to police," he said.
The man was identified as Kamaluddin, 32, a resident of 24-Parganas district of West Bengal.“The incident took place when the Imam was leading the Maghrib prayers. A man suddenly threw a plastic bottle which had kerosene at him from behind. The attacker was caught by Imam’s guards. He has been taken to the nearby police station,” said Amanullah, Syed Ahmed Bukhari’s official spokesperson. Additional Commissioner of Police (Central) Alok Kumar said that the man has been taken into custody and is being questioned.
Earlier in the day, Shaban Bukhari, the 19-year-old son of the Shahi Imam, has been chosen to succeed him as the 14th Shahi Imam of India’s largest mosque.