Finsbury Park Imam saves terror suspect

In an act of supreme bravery and courage the Finsbury Park Mosque Imam Mr Mahmoud probably saved the life of the suspected terrorist who mowed down Muslim worshippers who were leaving the Finsbury Park Mosque last night. Reports tell of one person who is dead , and others very seriously injured when a van, driven at speed targeted Muslims coming from the Mosque.

When the driver of the van tried to flee he was pursued by members of the public.  Eye witnesses were saying that he was shouting he wanted to ‘kill Muslims’.  But a group of men pinned down the driver, but the Mosque Imam told the group, not to hurt him and just to apprehend him until the police arrived. Reports suggest the police took around 20 minutes to arrive.

Toufik Kacimi, chief executive of the nearby Muslim Welfare House, thanked Mr Mahmoud stating that he helped, “calm the immediate situation after the incident, and prevented further injuries and potential loss of life”.

Speaking later today Mahmoud said:

“By God’s grace we managed to surround him and protect him from any harm,”

“We stopped all forms of attack and abuse towards him that were coming from every angle.”

One can only imagine the hightened tension directly after such an incident, and the great restraint in all those involved not act out their in retribution.

Jeremy Corbyn, whose constituency includes Finsbury Park, has said he was “shocked by this horrific and cruel attack”.  He visited the scene of the attack overnight.

Simon Woolley