Islington’s community comes together a year after the Finsbury Park terrorist attack

One year after the Finsbury Park terrorist attack, Islington is hosting a series of events to commemorate the victims, pay tribute to those affected and celebrate the strength and spirit of the borough’s community.

On 19 June 2017, in a targeted attack, far-right extremist Darren Osborne drove a van into a crowd of pedestrians on Whadcoat Street, just off Seven Sisters Road in Finsbury Park. Many of those struck down were leaving night-time Ramadan prayers at the nearby Muslim Welfare House. Father-of-four Makram Ali was killed in the attack, and many others were injured.

One year later, Islington’s community is coming together to remember the attack, as well as the way the community has stood together and supported each other in the face of tragedy.

Events planned are as follows:

• At 9.30am on Tuesday 19 June, Islington Council will hold a minute’s silence on the steps of the Town Hall in memory of the attack. Islington Councillors, local faith and community leaders, emergency services workers who assisted the victims and members of the public will gather beforehand to hear words of remembrance.

• On the evening of Monday 18 June and into the early hours of Tuesday 19 June, as part of an initiative by the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority, there will be a light display of the phrase #LondonUnited on the outside of Muslim Welfare House in Finsbury Park. The #LondonUnited light projections mark the anniversaries of the four terrorist attacks in London last year and are designed to bring the city together in an act of solidarity. The phrase has been projected onto the Houses of Parliament and London Bridge and will also be projected onto Parsons Green Tube station to mark the anniversaries of the attacks.

• On Saturday 23 June, the Islington Faiths Forum is hosting a ‘Great Get Together’, from 2:00pm-3:30pm in the courtyard of Muslim Welfare House to show strength as a united community, recognising the impact of the attack and bringing diverse sections of the community together in peace and mutual understanding.

Muslim Welfare House and Finsbury Park Mosque also recently hosted a community Street Iftar, which is a celebratory meal to break the fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The on-street meal on Wednesday 6 June brought people together to celebrate the local community spirit one year after the terrorist attack. The event was attended by over 1,500 people and was organised in partnership with Islington Council and the charity Muslim Aid.

Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, said:

“One year ago, a terrorist attack took the life of Makram Ali, injured many others, and changed the lives of all those affected. This was a hate-filled, targeted attack, designed to incite fear, but instead of driving us apart it has brought us closer together.”

“I have been deeply moved to see our community stand stronger than ever to reject that message of hate and fear. We have stood together, we have supported each other, and we have demonstrated that love and understanding are more powerful than fear.”

"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.”

Notes to Editor:

• Press wishing to attend the silence at the Town Hall (19 June, 9.00am for 9.30am) should contact the council’s press office.
• For more information about the #LondonUnited light projections, contact the Mayor of London's press office.