A 65-year-old man has been hailed as a hero after he successfully took down a gunman who entered a mosque in Norway intent on shooting worshippers.
Witnesses claim that they saw Mohamed Rafiq restrain the terrorist and, along with another worshipper, held him down on the ground until the arrival of the police.
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No-one at the mosque was injured in the incident.
Rafiq was one of three people in the al-Noor Islamic Centre in Baerum this past Saturday when the gunman burst through the doors with 'two shotgun-like weapons and a pistol'.
The would-be shooter was also wearing body armour and a uniform and shattered through a glass door in order to reach the place of worship.
Rafiq - along with Muslims the world over - was at the Centre to celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha.
Addressing the gathered members of the press outside a nearby hotel on Sunday, Mr Rafiq said: "I'm thankful for all of the help and support I have received."
He went on to say that he held the attacker down whilst another man, Mohamed Iqbal, hit the gunman over the head.
One of the board members of the mosque, Irfan Mushtaq, confirmed that there were 15 people inside the building just minutes before the terrorist burst in.
Philip Manshaus has been named as the terror suspect.
Police are investigating the incident as a potential terror attack and have arrested Manshaus on suspicion of attempted murder.
Posts shared by the 21-year-old on an online messaging forum suggest that he holds extreme far right views and had been inspired by the recent terror attacks in El Paso, Texas and Christchurch, New Zealand, as well as the synagogue shooting in Poway, California.
The body of his 17-year-old stepsister was also found at the gunman's home. He stands accused of her murder.
Assistant chief of police Rune Skjold told a news conference on Sunday: "We're investigating this as an attempt at carrying out an act of terrorism.
"We have uncovered extreme right-wing attitudes. The defendant has expressed opinions in which he praises [Norwegian fascist and Nazi collaborator] Quisling and is hostile towards immigration."
Mr Skjold also praised the 'great courage' of the two men who restrained the gunman even after shots had been fired.
He added: "There is no doubt that their efforts prevented this from having entirely different consequences."
Officials have confirmed that the suspect is in custody and having a psychiatric assessment.
The al-Noor Islamic Centre recently brought in extra safety measures following the attack on two mosques in Christchurch that left 50 people dead.
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