A stranger walked up to a kiosk worker inside Valley Fair Mall on Monday afternoon, struck up a brief conversation and then, police say, pulled out a knife and stabbed him multiple times.

The 48-year-old attacker was arrested and later told West Valley City police that he targeted the worker and intended to kill him “because of his religion,” according to a probable cause statement. The document identifies the worker as Muslim.

The worker suffered more than 15 stab wounds and was hospitalized in critical condition, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up to help pay for his medical bills. The fundraiser, which identified him only as Sohail, said he needs surgeries on his hands, heart and lungs.

The stabbing happened just before 3 p.m. Monday, when the attacker approached the worker, asked for his name, asked about his religion and indicated he wanted a bottle of water, according to Imam Shuaib Din, who leads the Utah Islamic Center in West Jordan and has been in contact with the victim’s family.

As the worker turned to grab the water, Din said, the attacker began stabbing him. The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not name people suspected of crimes unless they have been formally charged.

Before officers arrived, several bystanders tackled the attacker, pinned him to the ground and wrestled the knife from his hand, court documents state.

The worker was taken to a hospital after the attack. So was the attacker, police said, because bystanders punched him in the head while subduing him, according to court documents.

After receiving medical treatment, the attacker was booked into the Salt Lake County jail. A judge ordered him held without bail, court documents show.

Din, who was the target of a shooting outside his home earlier this year that investigators later determined was not a hate crime, said the mall stabbing reflects growing concerns about anti-Muslim sentiment.

“On the surface, it seems like it’s against one individual, but it’s not that one person who is a victim,” Din said. “The whole entire community is a victim because now they all feel unsafe.”

The Utah Muslim Civic League also condemned the attack, calling it a hate crime in a statement Tuesday.

“No community should have to wonder whether simply going to work could become a matter of life and death because of who they are or what they believe,” the statement read.

The group also praised the bystanders who intervened to stop the attack.

“Thank you to the true heroes who refused to be bystanders,” the statement said. “By risking their own safety, they intervened and helped save Br. Sohail from his assailant. Their courage embodies the very best of our community.”