Finsbury Park Mosque Marks 20 Years with Celebration of Hope and Community Unity
Finsbury Park Mosque commemorated its 20th anniversary with a high-profile event on Friday, February 7, attended by Members of Parliament, mayors, councillors, diplomats, academics, and community leaders. Themed “Bonded by Hope,” the event highlighted the mosque’s transformation over the past two decades and its role in fostering interfaith dialogue and social cohesion.
A Beacon of Community and Resilience
In his opening address, Mohammed Kozbar, Chairman of Finsbury Park Mosque, reflected on the mosque’s journey, describing it as “a centre and beacon of the community.” He emphasised the importance of unity, stating:
“Finsbury Park Mosque is home to a mosaic of communities, cultures, and backgrounds and stands at the threshold of a new dawn. It is a far better place today than it ever was and is poised to inspire, to lead, to change. Let us celebrate our common bonds, let us overcome the challenges before us, and let us move forward together with the spirit of hope, faith, and goodwill.”
Political and Community Support
Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington South, delivered the keynote address, expressing his pride in representing the mosque and commending its open-door policy:
“This mosque has achieved so much, given hope to so many people. It has always had an open door to the homeless, to refugees, and anyone experiencing hardship.”
Richard Watts, former leader of Islington Council, described the mosque as “a shining light in bringing the community together,” particularly in the face of challenges from far-right groups. The mosque’s ongoing partnership with Arsenal Football Club was also recognised, with Freddie Hudson, Head of Arsenal in the Community, praising their “good relationship as neighbours.”
Chief Superintendent Andy Carter lauded the mosque as “a real cornerstone of faith and unity” and a hub for education and social support. Similarly, Dr Muhammad Wajid Akhtar, newly elected Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, noted:
“The people of Finsbury Park make this mosque special—a building without its people is just a building.”
Recognising Contributions to the Community
The event also honoured key supporters with awards presented to 12 individuals and organisations for their contributions to interfaith dialogue, social initiatives, and community support. Among the awardees was Ruzina Akhtar, daughter of Makram Ali, who was killed in the 2017 Finsbury Park terrorist attack. She was recognised for her “courage, patience, and dignity” in representing her family.
Other recipients included:
- Jeremy Corbyn MP – For longstanding support of the mosque.
- Islington Faiths Forum – For fostering interfaith dialogue.
- Barry Norman – For establishing partnerships to return the mosque to the community.
- Islington Council – For its continuous collaboration with the mosque on community projects.
A Moment of Reflection and Celebration
In addition to speeches, the commemoration featured poetry recitals by young people, an online interactive session, and a special documentary about the mosque by journalist Matthew Robinson. A dinner reception concluded the evening, bringing together guests in a spirit of unity and reflection.
The event was hosted by Khalid Oumar, a trustee of the mosque, who expressed gratitude to attendees for marking this milestone and reaffirming the mosque’s role as a pillar of the community.
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