A mosque hero who performed "lifesaving" first aid on a suspected stab victim in the city has said it was "a miracle" he attended the scene following his own health scare.
Sal Naqvi sprung into action following reports that a man had been attacked in the alleyway between Manzil Way and Cosin Close on Wednesday evening.
A 24-year-old man from Oxford has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody in connection with the incident.
Thames Valley Police confirmed on Friday the victim remains in hospital and is in a stable condition.
It comes after Mr Naqvi, who is a councillor candidate for the St Clement's ward, heroically intervened and was left with blood on his hands as a result of his actions.
READ MORE: Oxford 'stabbing' near mosque raises concerns over trend
A Manzil Way Mosque trustee spokesman, who did not wish to be named, said: "Sal's actions were lifesaving.
"The young man lost so much blood.
Sal Naqvi outside the mosque. (Image: Contribution.)
"I'm telling you if there had been a delay of more than two minutes he would not have made it."
Mr Naqvi, who is first aid trained, said he had only just been discharged from hospital with abdominal issues.
The hero, who still had his hospital band on during the incident, said: "I was really unwell at the time myself.
"It was a miracle I was even there as I was attending a function on behalf of a friend.
"A mosque trustee called me over.
"The victim was bleeding saying 'I'm leaking'.
"I was holding his wound throughout and gave moral support.
Salman Naqvi's hand after the incident, which still had a hospital band. (Image: Contribution.)
"I shouted out to my brother, Kamran Naqvi who was in the congregation to call an ambulance.
"I subsequently shouted out for a towel, to which Osman Charles, a member of the mosque, swiftly took his jumper off and helped me apply it to the wound."
Mr Naqvi described the situation as "surreal".
"Ironically at the time I was on a lot of medications," he continued.
"I had my own agonising pains as I have a long history of abdominal issues.
Forensics were on scene. (Image: Ed Burnett.)
"I could understand his pain, though he was going through a lot more pain than I had been," he added.
The mosque spokesman added: "I'm proud of Sal that he showed courage.
"Some people were panicky but he was very very calm and he did an excellent job."
The trustee confirmed everything is now back to normal in the mosque as members continued to "pray for the victim".
A police cordon was lifted on Thursday evening with the mosque reopened for Friday prayers.
Osman Charles and Sal Naqvi. (Image: Contribution.)
Shaista Aziz, who is city councillor for the Rose Hill & Iffley ward and had been attending the mosque that evening, added: "The mosque members were calm and professional and handled the situation well.
"Alongside helping the victim who had walked to the mosque for medical assistance they had to manage the flow of people coming to pray and also trying to leave after Iftar, the breaking of the fast."
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