Finsbury Park mosque attack: Londoners bring flowers to vigil in show of solidarity with victims

Hundreds of people came together outside a mosque in Finsbury Park where man drove van into crowd of worshippers

Hundreds of people took flowers to Finsbury Park and gathered outside a mosque in the area on Monday night at a vigil held for victims of the terrorist attack that took place less than 24 hours earlier.

One man died and 11 people were injured when 47-year-old Darren Osborne allegedly rammed a white van into a crowd of worshippers at around 12:30 on Monday morning.

He seems to have deliberately targeted the north London area at a time when it was busy with Muslim worshippers attending Ramadan night prayers at their local mosques.

Witnesses described hearing him shout: “I’m going to kill all Muslims.”

He was arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism including murder and attempted murder.

Just hours after his arrest, people were filmed walking towards a vigil for the victims in their droves, many carrying roses and other bright flowers.

Some held signs stating “United against all terror” and “#WeStandTogether”.

Faith leaders were joined by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick at the vigil, which started with a short silence.

Mohammed Kozbar, chairman of Finsbury Park Mosque, praised the “great response” from the community and said the attack was “similar” to those on Westminster, Manchester and London Bridge.

"Yesterday we all experienced a horrific attack on our families, on our freedom, on our dignity. A man, a father of six children, being killed in cold blood and many injured by an extremist, by a terrorist," Mr Kozbar said.

"These people, these extremists, their aim is to divide our communities, is to spread hatred, fear and division among our communities.


 (Getty Images )
 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images ) (Getty Images)

(Getty Images ) (Getty Images)

"We all have harmony in this area, and these people try to divide us, but we tell them that 'We will not let you do that'."

Other faith leaders from the community also spoke at the vigil, including the Bishop of Stepney the Rt Rev Adrian Newman, who told the crowd "an attack on one faith is an attack on us all".

Rabbi Herschel Gluck said the incident hurt and was an attack on "every single Muslim in the UK and beyond".

"But really an attack on the Muslim community is an attack on every single citizen in Great Britain, because we are one nation, under one god, living together, working together, co-operating together in this country," he added.

Scotland Yard said extra police patrols would be deployed to reassure the public and those observing Ramadan.

Additional reporting by PA