500 turn out to remember dead Finsbury Park Imam

Around 500 mourners gathered on Saturday to pay their respects to the blind Imam found dead in a Finsbury Park Mosque the previous day.

Senior Muslim figures joined the Lebanese Ambassador, Islington politicians and police at Holloway School, in Hilldrop Road, Holloway, to remember Sheikh Maymoun Zarzour.

Mohammed Kozbar, manager of the North London Central Mosque, in Saint Thomas’s Road, who helped organise the service, said: “It was a very good occasion and very well attended, around 500 people, it was packed. People from all different communities came together to pay tribute to him and the work he has done for people in the area.”

Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, Councillor Catherine West, leader of Islington Council and senior police officers stood alongside Imam’s from Islington and east London, as well as representatives from the British Muslim Association and the Muslim Council of Britain at the vigil.

Mr Zazour was pronounced dead at the scene on Friday after an incident at the Muslim Welfare House, in Seven Sisters Road, where he was a cleric.

Ziana Aissa, 24, of no fixed abode, was arrested the same day and appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court today charged with murder.

Mourners also gathered in Mr Zazour’s hometown of Shemem, in Lebanon, where he had worked as an Imam.

“He is from a big family and has got a lot of support from people there,” said Mr Kozbar.

“His death is a big loss to all the communities that he has been active in.”

No motive has been established but police say the death is not thought to be related to race or faith hate crime at this stage.