The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Scotland:
Attack is most violent incident of Islamophobia to date
The Muslim Council of Britain has called for extra security around mosques, describing the Finsbury Park van attack as “the most violent manifestation” of Islamophobia.
The council’s secretary general Harun Khan said he expected authorities to step up security “as a matter of urgency”, adding many would feel “terrorised” following the incident outside the Muslim Welfare House in Seven Sisters Road.
He said: “According to eyewitness accounts and videos taken after the incident, it appears that a white man in a van intentionally ploughed into a group of worshippers who were already tending to someone who had been taken ill.
“During the night, ordinary British citizens were set upon while they were going about their lives, completing their night worship. It appears from eyewitness accounts that the perpetrator was motivated by Islamophobia.
“Over the past weeks and months, Muslims have endured many incidents of Islamophobia and this is the most violent manifestation to date.
“Given we are approaching the end of the month of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid with many Muslims going to local mosques, we expect the authorities to increase security outside mosques as a matter of urgency.
“Muslim communities have been calling for increased action to tackle the growth in hate crime for many years and transformative action must now be taken to tackle not only this incident but the hugely worrying growth in Islamophobia.
“We urge calm as the investigation establishes the full facts, and in these last days of Ramadan, pray for those affected and for justice.”
Mohammed Shafiq of Police are stepping up armed patrols in Scotland in response to the latest terrorist attack in London.
Mosques and other places of worship will be among locations with increased police presence, it is thought.
Assistant Chief Constable Nelson Telfer said: “There is no specific threat to Scotland, however Police Scotland is increasing the Ramadhan Foundation, a Muslim organisation which speaks out against extremism, said: “I utterly condemn the senseless and evil van attack against Muslim worshippers outside the Finsbury Park Mosque in London.
“According to eyewitnesses this was a deliberate attack against innocent Muslims.
“We should make clear that if this attack is confirmed as a deliberate terrorist attack then this should be classed as an act of terrorism. The British Muslim community requires all decent people to stand with us against this evil violence.
“Rampant Islamaphobia has been on the rise for a number of years and those on the far right have perpetuated hatred against Muslims.
“The days ahead will be difficult, but with unity and tolerance we will prevail. We will not allow these far right extremists to divide our diverse communities.”
Labour leader and local Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn expressed his shock at what had happened, writing on Twitter: “I’m totally shocked at the incident at Finsbury Park tonight.
“I’ve been in touch with the mosques, police and Islington council regarding the incident.”
Meanwhile, chairman of the mosque at Finsbury Park, Mohammed Kozbar, tweeted: “Our thoughts and prayers with those who got injured and effected by this cowardly attack.”
“I utterly condemn the senseless and evil van attack”