According to eyewitness accounts, Mohamed Rafiq, along with another worshipper, restrained the gunman and held him down until the police arrived. He held the man down while Mohamed Iqbal hit him on the head. Rafiq also got injured during the altercation.
This 65-year-old man has been hailed a hero as he tackled an armed assailant who stormed a mosque in Norway.

Mr Rafiq and two others were present the al-Noor Islamic Centre in Baerum, when the attacker burst in with two shotgun-like weapons and a pistol. The gunman was reportedly wearing a uniform and body armour and broke through a glass door to reach the place of worship, where people were celebrating Eid al-Adha.

The suspect has been identified as Philip Manshaus, a 21-year-old local man. It has also been suggested that he was a far-right extremist inspired by the Christchurch, Poway and El Paso shooters. He has been arrested for carrying a potential terror attack. Manshuas is also accused of killing his 17-year-old step-sister at home. Assistant Chief of Police Rune Skjold has said,
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.
This news soon spread wide, and Mr. Rafiq has earned a lot of praise online.
Here is a photo of the bruised 21 year old white supremacist terrorist who attempted mass murder a couple days ago at a mosque in Norway and the 65 year old worshiper, Mohamed Rafiq, who whooped his ass.https://t.co/u2gteETjVa? pic.twitter.com/n9zhsuTErV
— (((YousefMunayyer))) (@YousefMunayyer) August 12, 2019
Well done Mr Rafiq, you saved many lives.
— david kumhyr (@InventorCat) August 13, 2019
Oh it it must hurt even more that his ass got SERVED by an elderly man called Mohammed. Its gotta sting even more. Oh the sweet irony 😁😁😁😁🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Emet (@Emet28594864) August 13, 2019
Bravo Mohamed Rafiq.
— S.A. Kikals (@AKikals) August 12, 2019
Bravo Mohamed Rafiq.
— S.A. Kikals (@AKikals) August 12, 2019
This is a perfect history 21 years old whooped🤜🤛 his ass by 65 old, this is amazing 👏
— Gelaye גלי (@Gelaye11) August 13, 2019
Manshaus is currently in custody and is undergoing a psychiatric assessment. He was also presented before court with a lawyer for a hearing which he attended sporting 2 black eyes and a cold smirk.