Darren Connor, a 55-year-old man, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and class B drugs after he allegedly entered the Manchester Central Mosque in Rusholme with an axe. The incident occurred while approximately 1,500 people were engaged in Ramadan prayers, raising immediate safety concerns among worshippers. The police were alerted to Connor's suspicious behavior, and upon investigation, they found the axe in his bag, prompting a swift response to ensure the safety of those attending the prayers.

The mosque's chair, Hamad Khan, recounted that Connor entered wearing a high-visibility jacket around 8:30 PM and was quickly escorted to an office within the mosque. This proactive approach by mosque officials potentially prevented a more serious incident, given the large number of attendees at the time. Although another individual was present with Connor, that person was not charged concerning this incident, although they have faced legal consequences for a different matter.

The news of this incident has raised concerns about safety in places of worship, particularly during significant events like Ramadan, when many congregate to pray. As Connor is set to appear in magistrates' court on 27 February, the community is likely to remain vigilant and the mosque will continue to assess its security measures to protect its congregation from similar occurrences in the future.