By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) - Christian evangelist Hatun Tash says she survived a knife attack by a suspected Muslim in London “thanks to God’s grace.”
Tash, a former Muslim from Turkey, was stabbed last Sunday at London’s famed Speaker’ Corner, according to video and photos obtained by Worthy News.
She claimed the venue in Hyde Park, long known as a beacon of free speech, has become hostile and dangerous for evangelical Christians.
Footage showed a person wearing a black hoodie attacking the 39-year-old preacher before running away.
She fell to the ground, surrounded by crowds. While bleeding in her face, Tash got up, saying it is “not about the blood on my hands.” She added to those listening: “It is unacceptable that you are running away from Jesus Christ.”
Tash was later seen clutching her right hand close to her body and with what appeared to be blood at her temple as she moved into a police van by officers nearby.
NO ARRESTS
No arrests were made Wednesday, but a knife was found near the scene of the attack.
In video comments shared with Worthy News, she later said: “I am okay by God’s grace. I had pieces of the knife in my clothes.” However, “ I am here because it wasn’t my time. He wanted me to stay a bit longer.”
Tash, who is still recovering from injuries, leads “Defend Christ Critique Islam Ministries’ which preaches the Gospel to Muslims. “Our motivation is a love for Muslims to bring them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ to attain eternal life,” the group said.
Tash said she was “upset and disturbed by what has happened” to her. “I am asking myself if I have done anything wrong. I am convinced I have not broken any law or incited hate.” She added: “All I did was question Islam, and I wanted to debate, discuss, and tell people about Jesus Christ.”
Amid the ongoing investigation, she is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC). British counter-terrorism forces are also involved in the case. It comes amid broader concerns about Muslim extremism in Britain, according to rights activists.
“Her case raises the question of whether the UK is implementing “sharia” (or Islamic) law through the back door,” said advocacy group Christian Concern.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Tash said she received life threats after heated discussions with Islamic preachers and others.
MORE ATTACKS
She was previously attacked for piercing holes through the Koran and waving a cartoon image of the Prophet Mohammed depicted as a crying baby.
And in October 2020, London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that police had escorted her out of Hyde Park 'for her safety.
“Police inaction has led to what happened to me” on July 25, Tash stressed. “My attacker was not even afraid of the police as he did it right in front of them. It is heart-breaking that we live in a society where police do not want to arrest a Muslim for fear of being called ‘Islamophobic.’”
During Sunday’s attack, the evangelist was wearing a Charlie Hebdo T-shirt.
Twelve staff members at the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo were gunned down in January 2015 by two brothers who vowed allegiance to Al Qaeda.
The gunmen said they were taking revenge for the magazine's publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that many Muslims find offensive.