London Mayor attends memorial ceremony for victim of Finsbury Park terror attack
Ceremony: Sadiq Khan and Cressida Dick (second and third from right) join family members and community representatives. Photograph: Islington Council
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan yesterday paid tribute to the victim of last year's Finsbury Park terror attack as he attended a memorial ceremony in Islington.
Father-of-six Makram Ali, 51, was killed when Darren Osborne deliberately ran over him with his van outside a mosque in June.
The Mayor joined members of the family and survivors of the attack for a commemorative service in the gardens of Clifton Court, a quiet spot close to Ali's heart and not far from where he lived.
A plaque bearing Ali's name was placed and a Cercis tree planted in his memory.
Also present at the ceremony were Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, Islington Council leader Cllr Richard Watts and local Imam Mohammed Mahmoud, who led an opening prayer.
Family: Three of Makram Ali's children with the plaque and tree. Photograph: Islington Council
Speaking yesterday, Sadiq Khan said: "It is a privilege to come here to honour the memory of Makram Ali on behalf of all Londoners – and to reflect on the strength and solidarity shown by Makram Ali’s friends and family.
"Acts of terror are designed to divide our communities and stop us leading the lives we do. But the way in which the people of Finsbury Park and the whole of London came together in the aftermath of last year’s attack makes me prouder than ever to be Mayor of this great city."
Commissioner Dick added: "It has been my honour to have been invited to this memorial event in celebration of Mr Ali’s life. It was a fitting tribute to Mr Ali, who I understand to have been a loving, family man.
"Our condolences and thoughts remain with his family. Our thoughts are also with everyone who was injured."
Darren Osborne was found guilty in February of Ali's murder and the attempted murder of a crowd of others, and sentenced to life in prison.
He drove his van into Muslim worshippers on their way home from late-night Ramadan prayers.
Islinton Council's community safety chief, Cllr Andy Hull, said: “Last summer, a far-right terrorist sought to divide Islington’s diverse community. Instead, he brought us even closer together."
Cllr Hull, who also attended yesterday's service, added: "Mr Ali’s family have shown extraordinary courage and composure ever since the night of his tragic murder. On behalf of all of Islington, it is an honour to help them commemorate his life."
Ceremony: Sadiq Khan and Cressida Dick (second and third from right) join family members and community representatives. Photograph: Islington Council
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan yesterday paid tribute to the victim of last year's Finsbury Park terror attack as he attended a memorial ceremony in Islington.
Father-of-six Makram Ali, 51, was killed when Darren Osborne deliberately ran over him with his van outside a mosque in June.
The Mayor joined members of the family and survivors of the attack for a commemorative service in the gardens of Clifton Court, a quiet spot close to Ali's heart and not far from where he lived.
A plaque bearing Ali's name was placed and a Cercis tree planted in his memory.
Also present at the ceremony were Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, Islington Council leader Cllr Richard Watts and local Imam Mohammed Mahmoud, who led an opening prayer.
Family: Three of Makram Ali's children with the plaque and tree. Photograph: Islington Council
Speaking yesterday, Sadiq Khan said: "It is a privilege to come here to honour the memory of Makram Ali on behalf of all Londoners – and to reflect on the strength and solidarity shown by Makram Ali’s friends and family.
"Acts of terror are designed to divide our communities and stop us leading the lives we do. But the way in which the people of Finsbury Park and the whole of London came together in the aftermath of last year’s attack makes me prouder than ever to be Mayor of this great city."
Commissioner Dick added: "It has been my honour to have been invited to this memorial event in celebration of Mr Ali’s life. It was a fitting tribute to Mr Ali, who I understand to have been a loving, family man.
"Our condolences and thoughts remain with his family. Our thoughts are also with everyone who was injured."
Darren Osborne was found guilty in February of Ali's murder and the attempted murder of a crowd of others, and sentenced to life in prison.
He drove his van into Muslim worshippers on their way home from late-night Ramadan prayers.
Islinton Council's community safety chief, Cllr Andy Hull, said: “Last summer, a far-right terrorist sought to divide Islington’s diverse community. Instead, he brought us even closer together."
Cllr Hull, who also attended yesterday's service, added: "Mr Ali’s family have shown extraordinary courage and composure ever since the night of his tragic murder. On behalf of all of Islington, it is an honour to help them commemorate his life."