Finsbury Park attack one year on: Leaders vow terrorists 'will never succeed' in dividing Britain

Terrorists “will never succeed” in dividing Britain, leaders have vowed at a service to mark a year since the Finsbury Park attack.

Relatives of victim Makram Ali joined survivors, Muslim leaders and politicians, including the home secretary Sajid Javid and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, at commemorations at Islington Town Hall.

Before a minute’s silence was marked, the mayor of London spoke against all forms of terrorism in the wake of the far-right attack and a wave of atrocities inspired by Isis.

“Terrorism is terrorism, no matter the target and regardless of what motivates the sick and twisted perpetrators who carry out these evil crimes,” Sadiq Khan said.

“When Londoners face adversity, we stand up for our values, we stay strong, and we remain united.

“This is our city, this is our way of life, and those who seek to divide us should know this: you will never succeed.”

Mr Khan and Mr Corbyn were among the targets of Darren Osborne’s original plan to ram a van into Muslim demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian march in central London on 18 June last year.

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Asked during his trial if he wanted to kill the Labour leader, who did not attend last year’s event, Osborne replied: “Oh, yeah. It would be one less terrorist on our streets ... If Sadiq Khan had been there it would have been even better, it would have been like winning the lottery.”

Osborne, a 48-year-old unemployed alcoholic from Wales, was unable to reach the Al-Quds Day protest because of security measures and drove on to Finsbury Park, speeding into a crowd of Muslims gathered near the Muslim Welfare House shortly after midnight.

He killed Mr Ali, a grandfather who had collapsed shortly before and was being helped by bystanders, and injured 12 other people, before telling survivors: “I’ve done my job, you can kill me now.”

Mr Corbyn, a local resident and MP, said the community’s “solidarity and strength” was a testament to Mr Ali’s memory.

He praised the actions of Imam Mohammed Mahmoud, who stopped survivors beating Osborne.

“Imam Mahmoud did a brilliant and wonderful job in making sure that hatred of racism didn’t turn into violence and anger on the streets that night,” Mr Corbyn said. “He helped to ensure that we came together as a community, because that is the only response there can ever be to the racists that seek to divide us.”

The chief executive of the Muslim Welfare House told The Independent how community leaders feared riots on the night and sought to calm people and send them home.

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“It was very chaotic and a large number of people gathered just outside,” Toufik Kacimi recalled. “We wanted to avoid the cycle of violence.”

Speaking at Tuesday’s commemorations, Imam Mahmoud said the community had united against hatred, bigotry and the rhetoric of the far right and “we stand not just as one London but as one UK”.

He said his thoughts were with Mr Ali’s family and the victims who suffered “horrific injuries at the hands of this cowardly attacker”, adding: “The family of Makram Ali and those who were injured have endured with patience over the last year. Their actions deserve respect. Their actions inspire all and command respect due to their dignity on that day.”

There was a strong uniformed police presence in Upper Street, a usually busy shopping and business hub, which was shut to traffic for the intimate memorial.

Banners which read “United Against Terror”, “Turn To Love” and “London United” could be seen as members of the community and local officials gathered.

On Thursday, Mr Ali’s family, victims and community leaders will meet Theresa May at Downing Street.

Imam Mahmoud said he would use the meeting to call for a National Day against Islamophobia, telling ITV News: “Platforms are being offered to notorious Islamophobes even within parliament – these developments are worrying and they’re dangerous.”

The prime minister reiterated vows not to allow Britain to be divided by terrorism.

“Last year’s cowardly attack which targeted innocent worshippers leaving Finsbury Park Mosque was an attack on all of us,” Theresa May said in a statement.

“We are a country of many faiths, and freedom of worship and respect for those of different faiths is fundamental to this country’s values, and these values will never be broken by vile extremism.

“The bravery and spirit of the community that apprehended the attacker that night sent a clear message that terrorism will never succeed.

“And as we remember the victims of this attack, and Makram Ali who tragically lost his life, we should take strength that it is London’s diversity and multitude of communities that makes it one of the world’s great cities.”

Cressida Dick, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said her thoughts were with Mr Ali’s family and everyone affected by the horror of 19 June 2017, adding: “Our strength is our unity.”

Osborne was jailed for life with a minimum of 43 years in February, after a court heard he had been radicalised within weeks after watching a drama on the Rochdale grooming scandal and consuming online posts by Tommy Robinson, Britain First and other far-right figures.

Robinson and Britain First’s leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen have subsequently been jailed for unrelated crimes but the Muslim Welfare House has continued to receive vile hate mail and threats.