The man who attacked an imam of a mosque in the north of Jeddah was released Tuesday because he was found to be mentally ill. The man had attacked the imam after Isha prayers because he said the prayers had taken too long. The imam was saved by policemen who were attending the prayers. The imam was escorted to the Al-Salamah Police Station in North Jeddah after the incident. Some of the relatives of the man and worshippers, who were present at the scene, pleaded for the imam to pardon the attacker because of his poor mental health. The imam eventually pardoned the man. Police sources said the case has been referred to the Commission of Investigation and Prosecution to look into the public rights since the imam relinquished his private rights. The imam works for an airline company and has been leading prayers at the mosques for several years.
