Shafaqna– Relatives of victim Makram Ali joined survivors, Muslim leaders and politicians gather for a moment of silence to mark London mosque attack anniversary , killing father-of-six Makram Ali and injuring 12 others when a man drove his van into a crowd leaving evening prayers during Ramadan.
A minute’s silence was held to remember Ali, who died when Darren Osborne ploughed a hire van onto a crowded pavement close to Finsbury Park mosque, intending to kill as many Muslims as possible, Alaraby reported.
Osborne, 48, left a note in the van, in which he named mayor Khan as someone that he also wanted to kill.
The mayor paid tribute to the response of the local community.
“The way this community has responded has inspired us all,” Khan said.
“When Londoners face adversity we stand up for our values. This is our city, this is our way of life. For those who seek to divide us, the message is ‘you will never succeed’.”
Osborne, from the Welsh capital Cardiff, was in February sentenced to life in prison with a minimum 43-year term.
“Last year’s cowardly attack which targeted innocent worshippers leaving Finsbury Park mosque is an attack on all of us,” Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement.
“As with all acts of terrorism the intention was to divide us but we will not let this happen.
“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,” she added.
Saleha Jaffer, founder of FAST, Families Against Stress and Trauma, said: “We cannot deny the attack left some people feeling apprehensive and scared, but the work done in communities across the city since has left me feeling defiant of those who seek to incite hatred. I want anyone who is still worried to know they can and should reach out to organisations like FAST, or to the police, for support to help overcome that fear.