Hundreds join solidarity vigil at Finsbury Park Mosque *

Campaigners from St Mellitus, St John Vianney and St Thomas More parishes, Barbara Kentish in centre

More than 200 people, of all faiths and none, gathered for a vigil outside Finsbury Park Mosque in north London on Friday evening to show their solidarity with the Muslim community, after an attempted arson attack there last week. Police are investigating an incident caught on CCTV in which an individual threw a can of petrol at the building. (There were scorch marks but rain stopped the fire from catching on.)

Addressing the crowd, Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party and local MP since 1983, said: "We are united against all forms of racism.".. 'We can't solve problems with violence. There is no space for anti Semitism or Islamophobia."

A Jewish speaker said: "We stand with you our brothers our sisters our friends."

A representative from the National Union of Teachers, condemned all forms of racism and pointed out that there is also "respectable Islamophobia from people like Richard Dawkins" which must not be tolerated.

Lindsey German from Stop the War campaign pledged: "We will be with our Muslim brothers and sisters as long as they need us."

Father Joe Ryan, parish priest from St John Vianney's Catholic Church, and head of Westminster Diocese Justice and Peace office also brought a message of solidarity. Together with Barbara Kentish Westminster J&P worker, he had come straight from St Pancras International station, after participating in the climate change conference in Paris.

Bruce Kent from Pax Christi also spoke and encouraged the crowd to chant: "We are one people."

In 2014, Finsbury Park was the first Mosque in the country to win a major award - the 'Visible Quality Mark' from Community Matters - for its work in the community. Activities at the centre include community gatherings, youth and welfare services, IT and ESOL courses, regular surgeries for the local MP and councillors and educational projects for children and adults.

Fr David Ardagh-Walters, Parish Priest at nearby St Mellitus, Tollington Park, said at the time: "They well deserve this award especially for their youth and community work around here. They are admirably open, friendly and straightforward. In many unexpected ways they seem to practise what Pope Francis teaches."

See: ICN 6 November 2014 - London: Finsbury Park mosque wins major community award
www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=25929

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