PRESS RELEASE
from
MUSLIM AID, FINSBURY PARK MOSQUE and MUSLIM WELFARE HOUSE
Political and faith leaders join Street Iftar to celebrate community spirit one year on from Finsbury Park terrorist attack
When: Wednesday 6 June at 20.00
Where: St Thomas’ Rd (outside Finsbury Park mosque), London N4 2QH
One year on from the Finsbury Park terrorist attack, Jeremy Corbyn, other high- profile parliamentarians and representatives from all faiths will join with the community for a Street Iftar.
The event on Wednesday 6 June is being organised by the Muslim Welfare House, Finsbury Park mosque and the charity Muslim Aid to pay tribute to those affected by the incident but also to celebrate the public spirit following the attack.
The attack which occurred outside the Muslim Welfare House on 19 June 2017, tragically killed one man and injured eight people when a van drove into pedestrians. Imam Mohamed Mahmoud led the community in a peaceful response when he urged the crowd to be calm and restrained following the attack.
All are welcome to join this British style summer street party combined with a traditional Iftar. The event aims to highlight some of the common British and Muslim values, like looking after ones’ neighbours and coming together in times of crisis. It will commemorate the incident but also celebrate our intermingled cultures and strong community spirit.
Imam Mohamed Mahmoud, from the Muslim Welfare House, said: “Our primary concern has been for the victims and their families who continue to deal with the consequences of this terrible attack. What was shown following that night is that these events bring out the best in all of us, as diamonds are only formed under pressure. We received outpourings of support from all over the world from people of all backgrounds who have the capacity to care for others whom they have had no contact with.
“It was a glimmer of hope after a bleak situation and showed the inherent goodness of the people of our nation and across the globe. Today we want to say thank you for that. We have a common cause; to stand on one footing for humanity, quality, justice and peace.”
20.15 – Speeches
Guests speakers will include:
- Jeremy Corbyn – MP for Islington North and Leader of the Labour Party
- Dominic Grieve – MP Conservative Party
- Andy Hall – Senior Councillor for Islington Council
- Richard Watts – Leader of Islington Council
- Yacen Hersi – Victim Representative from Somali community
- David Poiyser – Mayor for Islington
- Toufik Kacimi – CEO, Muslim Welfare House
- Mohammed Kozbar – CEO, Finsbury Park mosque
- Jehangir Malik – CEO, Muslim Aid
- Elizabeth Chappell – Chair of Islington Faith Forum
- Rozina Akhtar – daughter of Makram Ali, 51, who died due to the attack
- Imam Mohamed Mahmoud, from the Muslim Welfare House, will make the closing speech.
21.15 – FREE Iftar
Biryani, samosa, kebab, chickpea masala and dates will be served
An Iftar is the sunset meal which breaks the Ramadan fast each day. It is traditionally eaten within a large family or group gathering.
Foredul Islam, National Events Manager for Muslim Aid, said: “It was a terrible incident, but it was followed by amazing support and cohesion within the community, so it’s important that we appreciate and celebrate that.
“This event aims to be a fun and colourful summer street party combined with a traditional Iftar. We are really looking forward to sharing with neighbours who are of faith or no faith – bringing mosques, synagogues, churches together and local leadership. Islam is about sharing everything with your neighbours and Britain shows its true colours when everyone comes together.”
This event is also being supported by the Somali Association of Britain, Somali Welfare Centre, Islington Somali Community, Back 2 Basic Create and the Al Risala Mosque and the Holloway Education and Cultural Centre
Ends
- For further information and to arrange an interview please contact:
Beverley Cohen Beverley.cohen@muslimaid.org 07922 655272
Karen Garvin Karen.garvin@muslimaid.org 07971 576917
Eileen Maybin Eileen.Maybin@muslimaid.org 07769 689438
- The Finsbury Park incident was investigated by counter-terrorism police as a terrorist attack. On 23 June 2017, Darren Osborne, who drove the van into pedestrians near the Muslim Welfare House, was charged with terrorism-related murder and attempted murder. In February 2018, he was found guilty on both counts at Woolwich Crown Court and sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Muslim Aid is one of the top 20 UK relief and development agencies, alongside Christian Aid, Save the Children and Oxfam. It was set up in the UK in 1985 to provide humanitarian assistance to disaster affected countries and to help poor communities overcome poverty. Muslim Aid covers 70 countries, working with all communities irrespective of faith, ethnic origin or political system. Muslim Aid also has some UK programmes.