Muslim teacher in UK hailed a ‘hero’ after saving students from knife attack

LONDON, June 12 (Arab News): A Muslim teacher in the UK who was stabbed while protecting students from a knife-wielding attacker has been named as 27-year-old Maysam Abdullah.
The teacher, of Pakistani extraction, has been hailed as a hero after he intervened in the attack at Co-op Academy Manchester this week, The Independent reported.
A 14-year-old girl was charged with three counts of attempted murder after the incident.
She is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London today.
Aside from Abdullah, two 14-year-old students were injured in the attack and later released from hospital.
Abdullah told Manchester Evening News that he is now recovering at home with his wife and “trying to process” the incident.
His wife, Saima, said on TikTok: “(On Tuesday) I received the devastating news that my husband had been stabbed whilst trying to protect pupils from a serious knife attack in his classroom.
“No one ever expects to receive a phone call telling them that their loved one has been taken to the hospital after being stabbed. I am grateful that his injuries were not life-threatening. The wound on his neck and his hand have been treated, however, these physical wounds are only part of what our family is now facing.
“My husband entered teaching to make a positive difference in young people’s lives, and he is truly a hero for protecting and safeguarding those children.
“Our prayers are with the other two pupils who also suffered injuries and to all the students and staff who witnessed such a traumatic event.”
An investigation into the attack is being conducted by counterterrorism officers, but the incident was not declared as terror-related.
The suspect was detained under the Mental Health Act and faces two counts of possessing a bladed article on school premises.