UK: Finsbury Park terror victim remembered

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday to commemorate the victim of an Islamophobic terrorist attack that targeted Muslim worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan last year in north London.

People from all walks of life and religions came together in front of Finsbury Park Mosque for a street iftar (fast-breaking) dinner organized by Muslim Aid and the mosque as well as other British Muslim organizations.

“The racists will never win, and we will never allow them to win,” Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said, speaking at the event.

Anna Soubry, a leading Conservative Party MP, underlined in her speech that the hostile and racist environment that has been more prevalent since the Brexit vote should end in the UK.

Also speaking at the event, Tory MP Dominic Grieve praised Muslims’ contribution to society in the UK and thanked them.

Darren Osborne, 48, killed Makram Ali, 51, and injured 11 others in June last year when he plowed a van into a group of Muslim worshippers after they left Ramadan prayers at the Muslim Welfare House in Finsbury Park.

The far-right terrorist Osborne was found guilty of murder and attempted murder by a British court in February and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 43 years.

Giving an emotional speech, Makram Ali’s daughter, Ruzina Akhtar, said: “We’re very proud to be part of this community and all the support that you’ve shown us.”

“We stand as one against bigotry, hatred, racism and Islamophobia,” said Mahmoud Mahmoud, imam of the Muslim Welfare House.

The iftar event hosted hundreds of people, including faith leaders, politicians and members of the community.