I am sure we will all be deeply shocked and saddened by the horrific attack that has taken place in Finsbury Park on families peacefully praying during Ramadan. The holy month of Ramadan is a time characterised by prayer, sacrifice, charity, community and spirituality. This was a cowardly and brutal attack on the Muslim community who were targeted indiscriminately as families left the mosque.

Once again our emergency services have shown us that they are the best of us, personifying bravery, dignity and the up most professionalism. Responding very quickly to the emergency call and working through the night to help and protect the victims and the community through this horrendous event. The safety of our citizens has to be of paramount concern. It is right that security and police support is reassessed particularly during Ramadan and Eid. Much more needs to now be done to change the tone of our political debate and counter the rise in hate crime, antisemitism and Islamophobia which we have started to witness.

This kind attack is an attack on all of our values and freedoms we hold dear, as Londoners and as a nation. It comes just after the country had spent the weekend celebrating the Great Get Together and remembering Jo Cox who was murdered one year ago. Jo Cox has been remembered at Iftars in Hounslow and around the country as people of all communities and backgrounds stand together united. We stand together in defence of the principles of liberty, community and equality that drive us in pursuit of a better society and world. Islam is a religion of peace. Our thoughts are with all the families and residents affected at this time.