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Coordinates: 51°33′48″N 0°06′26″W / 51.5634°N 0.1071°W / 51.5634; -0.1071
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==Background==
==Background==
The attack followed a secession of [[Islamist terrorist]] attacks and non-terror related tragedies in Great Britain in just over three months: [[2017 Westminster attack|an attack in Westminster]] in March, [[2017 Manchester Arena bombing|a bombing in Manchester]] in May, [[June 2017 London Bridge attack|an attack in the Southwark district]] earlier in June<ref name="GuardianLive"/> and the [[Grenfell Tower fire]] on 14 June, in which Finsbury Park Mosque offered support and help for the victims.<ref>{{cite news|title=Finsbury Park Mosque offers help after the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower {{!}} Finsbury Park Mosque|url=https://www.finsburyparkmosque.org/news/finsbury-park-mosque-offers-help-after-the-tragic-fire-at-grenfell-tower/|accessdate=19 June 2017|work=Finsbury Park Mosque|date=14 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Khan|first1=Sadiq|title=The Finsbury Park imam’s heroism shows where London can find its strength|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/19/finsbury-park-imam-london-terrorist-attacks-grenfell-tower-fire-sadiq-khan|accessdate=19 June 2017|work=The Guardian|date=19 June 2017}}</ref> Following the terrorist attacks, there had been a rise in [[Islamophobic]] incidents against Muslims in [[Manchester]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Muslim leaders in Manchester report rise in Islamophobic incidents|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/24/muslim-leaders-in-manchester-report-rise-in-islamophobic-incidents|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
The attack followed a succession of [[Islamist terrorist]] attacks and non-terror related tragedies in Great Britain in just over three months: [[2017 Westminster attack|an attack in Westminster]] in March, [[2017 Manchester Arena bombing|a bombing in Manchester]] in May, [[June 2017 London Bridge attack|an attack in the Southwark district]] earlier in June<ref name="GuardianLive"/> and the [[Grenfell Tower fire]] on 14 June, in which Finsbury Park Mosque offered support and help for the victims.<ref>{{cite news|title=Finsbury Park Mosque offers help after the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower {{!}} Finsbury Park Mosque|url=https://www.finsburyparkmosque.org/news/finsbury-park-mosque-offers-help-after-the-tragic-fire-at-grenfell-tower/|accessdate=19 June 2017|work=Finsbury Park Mosque|date=14 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Khan|first1=Sadiq|title=The Finsbury Park imam’s heroism shows where London can find its strength|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/19/finsbury-park-imam-london-terrorist-attacks-grenfell-tower-fire-sadiq-khan|accessdate=19 June 2017|work=The Guardian|date=19 June 2017}}</ref> Following the terrorist attacks, there had been a rise in [[Islamophobic]] incidents against Muslims in [[Manchester]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Muslim leaders in Manchester report rise in Islamophobic incidents|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/24/muslim-leaders-in-manchester-report-rise-in-islamophobic-incidents|work=The Guardian}}</ref>


The Finsbury Park Mosque has attracted both positive,<ref>{{cite news|title=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/06/van-strikes-pedestrians-outside-mosque-in-london.html|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/06/van-strikes-pedestrians-outside-mosque-in-london.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jeremy Corbyn Invites Donald Trump To Finsbury Park Mosque; Says Bernie Sanders Can Still Beat Hillary; Calls For UK To Stop Following US Into War|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12/19/jeremy-corbyn-invites-donald-trump-london_n_8846078.html}}</ref> and negative media attention. The radical cleric [[Abu Hamza al-Masri]], who was convicted for terrorism related charges in both the UK and the United States, served as its [[Imam]] in 1997-2003.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smout |first1=Alistair |last2=Pitas |first2=Costas |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-security-idUKKBN19A014 |title=Van rams Muslim worshippers in London, PM May condemns "sickening" attack |publisher=Reuters |date=19 June 2017 |accessdate=19 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=Alexander |last1=Smith |first2=Saphora |last2=Smith |first3=Alastair |last3=Jamieson |first4=Lucy |last4=Kafanov |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/suspect-arrested-after-colliding-pedestrians-london-n773906 |title='Horrific terrorist attack': Worshippers hit by van near London mosque |work=NBC News |date=19 June 2017 |accessdate=19 June 2017}}</ref><ref>[http://www.wvtm13.com/article/london-s-finsbury-park-a-closer-look/10040824 London's Finsbury Park -- a closer look], WVTM13 (from CNN), 18th June 2017</ref> The mosque was shut down in 2003. In 2005, it re-opened under new management team.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/19/finsbury-park-mosque-radical-hotbed-transformed-model-community/ The Finsbury Park Mosque: radical hotbed transformed to model of community relations], ''The Daily Telegraph'', 19 June 2017</ref> Since then the mosque has actively promoted better interfaith community relations.<ref>{{cite news|title=|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/19/man-arrested-after-revenge-terror-attack-outside-finsbury-park-mosque-6718071/|title=One dead in terror attack after van hits people leaving Finsbury Park Muslim centre}}</ref><ref name="Reuters19A014">{{cite web|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-security-idUKKBN19A014|title=Van rams Muslim worshippers in London|date=19 June 2017|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=19 June 2017}}</ref>
The Finsbury Park Mosque has attracted both positive,<ref>{{cite news|title=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/06/van-strikes-pedestrians-outside-mosque-in-london.html|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/06/van-strikes-pedestrians-outside-mosque-in-london.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jeremy Corbyn Invites Donald Trump To Finsbury Park Mosque; Says Bernie Sanders Can Still Beat Hillary; Calls For UK To Stop Following US Into War|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12/19/jeremy-corbyn-invites-donald-trump-london_n_8846078.html}}</ref> and negative media attention. The radical cleric [[Abu Hamza al-Masri]], who was convicted for terrorism related charges in both the UK and the United States, served as its [[Imam]] in 1997-2003.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smout |first1=Alistair |last2=Pitas |first2=Costas |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-security-idUKKBN19A014 |title=Van rams Muslim worshippers in London, PM May condemns "sickening" attack |publisher=Reuters |date=19 June 2017 |accessdate=19 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=Alexander |last1=Smith |first2=Saphora |last2=Smith |first3=Alastair |last3=Jamieson |first4=Lucy |last4=Kafanov |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/suspect-arrested-after-colliding-pedestrians-london-n773906 |title='Horrific terrorist attack': Worshippers hit by van near London mosque |work=NBC News |date=19 June 2017 |accessdate=19 June 2017}}</ref><ref>[http://www.wvtm13.com/article/london-s-finsbury-park-a-closer-look/10040824 London's Finsbury Park -- a closer look], WVTM13 (from CNN), 18th June 2017</ref> The mosque was shut down in 2003. In 2005, it re-opened under new management team.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/19/finsbury-park-mosque-radical-hotbed-transformed-model-community/ The Finsbury Park Mosque: radical hotbed transformed to model of community relations], ''The Daily Telegraph'', 19 June 2017</ref> Since then the mosque has actively promoted better interfaith community relations.<ref>{{cite news|title=|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/19/man-arrested-after-revenge-terror-attack-outside-finsbury-park-mosque-6718071/|title=One dead in terror attack after van hits people leaving Finsbury Park Muslim centre}}</ref><ref name="Reuters19A014">{{cite web|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-security-idUKKBN19A014|title=Van rams Muslim worshippers in London|date=19 June 2017|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=19 June 2017}}</ref>

Revision as of 15:42, 19 June 2017

2017 Finsbury Park attack
Finsbury Park, London, where the incident occurred
2017 Finsbury Park van attack is located in London Borough of Islington
Finsbury Park attack
Finsbury Park attack
2017 Finsbury Park van attack (London Borough of Islington)
2017 Finsbury Park van attack is located in Greater London
2017 Finsbury Park van attack
2017 Finsbury Park van attack (Greater London)
LocationFinsbury Park, London
Coordinates51°33′48″N 0°06′26″W / 51.5634°N 0.1071°W / 51.5634; -0.1071
Date19 June 2017
00:15 (BST)
Attack type
Vehicle-ramming attack
WeaponsVan
DeathsPossibly 1[1]
Injured10

On 19 June 2017, a van was driven into pedestrians in Finsbury Park, London, injuring ten and killing one. The terror attack occurred outside the Muslim Welfare House, 100 yards around the corner from Finsbury Park Mosque, where the van hit several Muslims who had earlier been engaged in Tarawih, nightly prayers held during Ramadan. Ten people were injured. In addition, one man who had been receiving first aid prior to the attack died at the scene.[2][1]

The terrorist attack is being investigated by the Counter Terrorism Command[3] and has been described by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, as a "horrific terrorist attack".[4] One person has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.[5]

Background

The attack followed a succession of Islamist terrorist attacks and non-terror related tragedies in Great Britain in just over three months: an attack in Westminster in March, a bombing in Manchester in May, an attack in the Southwark district earlier in June[3] and the Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June, in which Finsbury Park Mosque offered support and help for the victims.[6][7] Following the terrorist attacks, there had been a rise in Islamophobic incidents against Muslims in Manchester.[8]

The Finsbury Park Mosque has attracted both positive,[9][10] and negative media attention. The radical cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri, who was convicted for terrorism related charges in both the UK and the United States, served as its Imam in 1997-2003.[11][12][13] The mosque was shut down in 2003. In 2005, it re-opened under new management team.[14] Since then the mosque has actively promoted better interfaith community relations.[15][16]

Events

On 19 June 2017, at approximately 00:15 BST (UTC+1), a hired van rammed several pedestrians on Seven Sisters Road, 100 yards from Finsbury Park Mosque[17] in London, England.[18] Witnesses first reported several people seen lying on the ground after a vehicle drove onto the pavement, and a person was taken into custody shortly after the incident.[19] Many of the injured were seen to be wearing Muslim attire. Witnesses have said this is because worshippers were leaving the mosque at the time of the incident after tarawih prayers, which are performed by Sunni Muslims during the month of Ramadan.[20][21][22]

Worshippers from Finsbury Park mosque restrained the attacker.[23] Witnesses have said that the attacker was punched and beaten until the imam of the mosque intervened and halted the beating, asking instead for the attacker to be handed over to police.[24]

Officers were called at 00:20 BST, the Metropolitan Police said, describing it as a "major incident".[25] London Ambulance Service said it had sent "a number of resources." According to the London Ambulance Service, eight people were taken to area hospitals, and two were treated and released at the scene.[26]

Investigation

The Metropolitan Police have stated that a 48-year-old male, believed to be the van driver, was detained by members of the public and arrested in connection to the incident.[3][25][27] Witnesses reported seeing three people leave the van involved in the incident,[3] but police later announced that they have only one suspect.[28] The incident is being investigated by counter-terrorism police.[29] A police spokesperson said the driver will be subject to a mental health evaluation.[30]

The van involved in the incident was reported to have been hired in Pontyclun, Wales.[31][32]

A witness has claimed the driver said after the attack "I want to kill Muslims".[33]

Reactions

Prime Minister Theresa May stated that her thoughts were with the injured.[34] Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn, whose constituency includes Finsbury Park, stated that he is "totally shocked" and that his "thoughts and prayers are with those and the community affected by this awful event".[3][35] The Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said South Wales Police were working with officers from London on the investigation.[36]

Mohammed Kozbar, the Chairman of the Finsbury Park Mosque, tweeted "Our thoughts and prayers with those who got injured and effected by this cowardly attack in Finsbury Park area".[37][3] The attack has also been condemned by Christian,[38] Sikh,[39] and Jewish[40] leaders.

Former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson stated via Twitter: "The mosque where the attack happened tonight has a long history of creating terrorists & radical jihadists & promoting hate & segregation. I've said many times if government or police don't sort these centres of hate they will create monsters as seen tonight". Robinson's statements were criticised as "inciting hatred" or "victim blaming".[41]

References

  1. ^ a b London mosque death may be unrelated to terror attack – police, Financial Times, 19 June 2017
  2. ^ "LATEST: Incident in Finsbury Park". Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Malkin, Bonnie (19 June 2017). "Finsbury Park: casualties as van crashes into pedestrians near London mosque – live updates". The Guardian. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Khan, Sadiq (18 June 2017). "Thoughts & prayers with all those affected by the horrific terrorist attack on innocent people in Finsbury Park". twitter.com. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Finsbury Park attack: Man dies as van hits worshippers". BBC News. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Finsbury Park Mosque offers help after the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower | Finsbury Park Mosque". Finsbury Park Mosque. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  7. ^ Khan, Sadiq (19 June 2017). "The Finsbury Park imam's heroism shows where London can find its strength". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Muslim leaders in Manchester report rise in Islamophobic incidents". The Guardian.
  9. ^ "http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/06/van-strikes-pedestrians-outside-mosque-in-london.html". {{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)
  10. ^ "Jeremy Corbyn Invites Donald Trump To Finsbury Park Mosque; Says Bernie Sanders Can Still Beat Hillary; Calls For UK To Stop Following US Into War".
  11. ^ Smout, Alistair; Pitas, Costas (19 June 2017). "Van rams Muslim worshippers in London, PM May condemns "sickening" attack". Reuters. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  12. ^ Smith, Alexander; Smith, Saphora; Jamieson, Alastair; Kafanov, Lucy (19 June 2017). "'Horrific terrorist attack': Worshippers hit by van near London mosque". NBC News. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  13. ^ London's Finsbury Park -- a closer look, WVTM13 (from CNN), 18th June 2017
  14. ^ The Finsbury Park Mosque: radical hotbed transformed to model of community relations, The Daily Telegraph, 19 June 2017
  15. ^ "One dead in terror attack after van hits people leaving Finsbury Park Muslim centre".
  16. ^ "Van rams Muslim worshippers in London". Reuters. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  17. ^ "London attack on Muslim worshippers: What we know". www.msn.com. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Vehicle collides with pedestrians in Finsbury". Sky News. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  19. ^ "Finsbury Park: Number of casualties as 'van hits pedestrians on 'Seven Sisters Road' in North London". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  20. ^ "Finsbury Park: 'Several hurt' as vehicle hits pedestrians". BBC News. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  21. ^ "Van hits worshippers outside Finsbury Park Mosque in London". The Independent. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  22. ^ Chan, Sewell; Magra, Iliana (18 June 2017). "Vehicle Hits Pedestrians in London". The New York Times.
  23. ^ Finsbury Park attack: Moment onlookers restrain suspect, BBC, 19 June 2017
  24. ^ Brave worshippers held terror suspect down before police arrived at Finsbury Park mosque, 19 June 2017, The Daily Telegraph
  25. ^ a b Alla Eshchenko (18 June 2017). "London vehicle hits pedestrians, police say 'number of casualties'". CNN. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  26. ^ Carvalho, Ritvik; Pitas, Costas (19 June 2017). "Van rams worshippers leaving London mosque, killing at least one". Reuters. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  27. ^ Visser, Nick. "Injuries Reported After Vehicle Hits Pedestrians In London". HuffPost UK. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017.
  28. ^ Heiskanen, Heikki (19 June 2017). "Lontoon Finsbury Parkin hyökkäys – Mitä tiedetään nyt?". yle.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  29. ^ Dodd, Vikram (19 June 2017). "London counter-terror police investigate after van hits worshippers near mosque". The Guardian.
  30. ^ Dearden, Lizzie (19 June 2017). "Finsbury Park attack: Counter terror police investigating after one man killed in van attack near mosque". The Independent. Retrieved 19 June 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ Reynolds, Emma (19 June 2017). "Van mows down people outside north London mosque". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017.
  32. ^ "Finsbury Park attack: Pontyclun Van Hire vehicle examined". BBC News. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  33. ^ "Finsbury Park Mosque: Man dies as van hits pedestrians". BBC News. 19 June 2017.
  34. ^ Rosenfeld, Everett (18 June 2017). "'Number of casualties' after vehicle collides with pedestrians in London's Finsbury Park area, police say". CNBC. Retrieved 18 June 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  35. ^ @jeremycorbyn (19 June 2017). "I'm totally shocked at the incident at Finsbury Park tonight" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 19 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017 – via Twitter.
  36. ^ "Finsbury Park mosque: One dead and 10 injured in London terror attack". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  37. ^ @KozbarM (18 June 2017). "Our thoughts and prayers with those who got injured and effected by this cowardly attack in Finsbury Park area, many casualties in the floor" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 19 June 2017 – via Twitter.
  38. ^ @JustinWelby (19 June 2017). "The attack at Finsbury Park mosque is abhorrent. We stand in solidarity with our Muslim friends and pray for the bereaved and injured" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ Harriet Sherwood (19 June 2017). "Religious leaders unite in condemnation of Finsbury Park attack". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  40. ^ "Finsbury Park attack: What we know so far". BBC News. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  41. ^ Former EDL leader Tommy Robinson condemned over Finsbury Park mosque comments, The Daily Telegraph, 19 June 2017
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