‘United in our determination’: Politicians pay tribute to Makram Ali on sixth anniversary of Finsbury Park terror attack
Three of Makram Ali’s children, pictured in 2018, with a plaque and tree laid in his honour. Photograph: Islington Council
Islington’s politicians and Mayor of London have paid tribute to Makram Ali on the sixth anniversary of the terror attack at Finsbury Park mosque.
Ali, a 51-year-old husband, father and grandfather, lost his life on 19 June 2017 when extremist Darren Osborne drove a van into a crowd of Muslims close to the place of worship.
Twelve others were injured in the attack, and Osborne was sentenced to a minimum of 43 years in jail in 2018.
Islington’s top politicians today released a joint statement along with Muslim leaders, including Mohammed Kozbar, chairman of Finsbury Park mosque.
It reads: “We stand together today as one community and one Islington, on the anniversary of the Finsbury Park terror attack of 19 June 2017.
“The attack took the life of Makram Ali, a local husband, father and grandfather. We remember Makram Ali, as well as the many other people who were injured and traumatised by the attack.
“Today, faith and community leaders will unite for a commemoration event in Finsbury Park. This terror attack sought to divide us, but instead brought us closer together.
“We stand in solidarity to condemn this hateful act, and to reaffirm our commitment to building a community of understanding, mutual support, and love.
“We stand united in our determination to take action to end racial injustice, challenge inequality wherever we find it, and continue to stand alongside everyone in our borough, to make Islington a more equal place.”
The borough’s MPs, Jeremy Corbyn and Emily Thornberry, were among the signatories, as well as Toufik Kacimi, the CEO of Muslim Welfare House, and Rosalind Miller, director of Islington Faiths Forum.
The statement was also signed by council leader Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Mayor Gary Heather, equalities chief Cllr Roulin Khondoker, and Colin Adams, chair of the Challenging Inequality Coalition and Hate Crime Forum.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has also offered words of remembrance, saying his thoughts are with the family and friends of Makram Ali.
He added: “The way the local community responded to the attack showed how Londoners will always stand together in the face of such hate and division and those who wish to harm our way of life will never succeed.
“London’s rich diversity is our greatest strength, and we will never be cowed by terrorism.
“The evolving threat of terrorism is still very real which is why I am continuing to take action by investing record amounts in the police and funding important projects which help our communities stand up to all forms of hate so that we can build a safer London for everyone.”