East London mosque urges vigilance following hoax bomb threat hours after Finsbury Park terror attack
The East London mosque said its buildings were evacuated and police were called after a telephone threat, which was later confirmed as a hoax bomb threat.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were called to the East London mosque on Monday afternoon after a hoax bomb threat. A spokesman said there were no injuries, as it was just a hoax.
The Mosque received a telephone threat a short while ago. Buildings were evacuated and sweeps carried out by Police and Mosque staff. 1/2 — East London Mosque (@elondonmosque) June 19, 2017 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post
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While we understand this incident to be a hoax, we still urge vigilance in our community. 2/2 — East London Mosque (@elondonmosque) June 19, 2017 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post
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It comes hours after London was struck by another terrorist attack on Monday morning when a white supremacist murdered a man and injured several others after ramming a van into a group of Muslims leaving the Muslim Welfare House in Finsbury Park after taraweeh prayers.
Witnesses said the attacker was shouting that he wanted to “kill all Muslims”.
The attacker was identified as father-of-four Darren Osborne who was held on suspicion of attempted murder and later further arrested over alleged terror offences.
Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the "sickening" incident, reaffirming Britain's determination to fight "terrorism, extremism and hatred."
The Metropolitan police commissioner, Cressida Dick, joined a vigil in Finsbury Park on Monday evening. After meeting with the chairman of the mosque, Mohammed Kozbar, she stood with him to observe a short silence.
Kozbar addressed the large crowd that had gathered and praised the “great response” from the community.
He said the attack was one of terror and that it was “similar” to those which have recently happened in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge.
"These people, these extremists, their aim is to divide our communities, is to spread hatred, fear and division among our communities," Kozbar added.