Finsbury Park Attack: One minute silence marks one year anniversary, 19th June 2018
On 19th June 2018, faith leaders from Finsbury Park Mosque invited Forward Thinking to attend the memorial service marking the one-year anniversary of the cowardly terrorist attack which killed one and injured nine others.On the steps of Islington Town Hall, a one-minute silence was held to remember Makram Ali, who was tragically killed. Faith leaders, politicians, emergency services and community members joined together to pay tribute to Mr Ali's family and those affected in an act of solidarity, remembrance and unity.Leadership from Finsbury Park Mosque and politicians led commemorative speeches including: Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London; Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Leader and Islington MP, Emily Thornberry MP; James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government; and Mohammed Mahmoud, the Imam who prevented the crowd from hurting the attacker before police arrived. Sajid Javid MP, Home Secretary, was also in attendance.Addressing the audience and national media, Jeremy Corbyn praised Mahmoud and the response of the community, he said:“Imam Mahmoud did a brilliant and wonderful job of making sure that hatred of racism did not turn into violence and anger on the streets that night…He helped to ensure that we came together as a community because that is the only response there can ever be to the racism that seeks to divide us.”Islington Council leader Richard Watts said: “I am so proud today to be part of this community, to stand in solidarity and to say that, in the face of hatred, this community is united.”