London: The mosque’s imam, Mohammed Mahmoud has set an example by stopping angry worshippers from attacking a suspect in a terror attack which saw a van plough into people outside a mosque in North London.
He told the crowd.”Do not touch him,” Mahmoud said the reporters that.”We found that a group of people quickly started to collect around him… and some tried to hit him either with kicks or punches. By God’s grace we managed to surround him and to protect him from any harm.”adding “We stopped all forms of attack and abuse towards him that were coming from every angle.”
He said.“This community of ours is a calm community, not known for their violence. Our mosques are incredibly peaceful. I can assure you we will do our utmost to calm down ill intentions.”
Darren Osborne, 47, from Cardiff is held on suspicion of attempted murder and alleged terrorism offences. He was heard shouting “I’m going to kill Muslims.”
One person has died and nine have been taken to hospital following the terror attack. All of the casualties were Muslims.
Mahmoud condemned the “tragic and barbaric terrorist attack”, adding: “All life is sacred.”
The attack was swiftly condemned by the entire political leadership in Britain. Prime minister Theresa May said: “The terrible terrorist attack which took place last night was an evil borne out of hatred and it has devastated a community.”
She added: “There is no place for this hatred in our country today and we need to work together as one society, one community, to drive it out, this evil which is affecting so many families.”
She has promised extra police resources to protect mosques in the run-up to Eid.