Editing Finsbury Park Mosque (section)

==History==
===1988–1997: Opening===
In the 1960s a small room in a guest house at 7 Woodfall Road, London N4 was used as a prayer room and community centre for the handful of [[Bangladeshis|Bangladeshi]] Muslims then working and living in the district, and had become inadequate for the growing Muslim community by the time the building was compulsorily purchased by the local authority as part of a Housing Action Plan. The community formed a Muslim Welfare Centre, and in 1975 purchased its own property at St. Thomas's Road, later also acquiring neighbouring plots. A mosque first came into use on the site in 1988, when it was one of the largest mosques in the UK.<ref name="BBCBattleForTheMosque"/> In 1994 a new 5-storey mosque building was officially opened in a ceremony attended by [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles]] and King [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia]] who had contributed funds for the building.<ref name=MoreThanJustAMosque>{{cite news|title=Finsbury Park Mosque: "Its more than just a mosque now"|url=https://islingtonnow.co.uk/finsbury-park-mosque-its-more-than-just-a-mosque-now/}}</ref><ref>[http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,901030203-411394,00.html Inside Finsbury Park Mosque] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308160150/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,901030203-411394,00.html |date=8 March 2021 }}, TIME, January 2003</ref><ref name="PolicyExchangeHijacking">[http://www.euro-islam.info/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/hijacking_of_british_islam.pdf MacEoin, Denis. "The Hijacking of British Islam." How extremist literature is subverting mosques in the UK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929053321/http://www.euro-islam.info/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/hijacking_of_british_islam.pdf |date=29 September 2018 }} (Policy Exchange 2007) (2007), page 77.</ref><ref name="EdgeHardLawSoftPower">[http://www.lawandreligion.com/sites/lawandreligion.com/files/EDGE%20FINAL.pdf Hard Law and Soft Power: Counter-Terrorism, the Power of Sacred Places, and the Establishment of an Anglican Islam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417075602/http://www.lawandreligion.com/sites/lawandreligion.com/files/EDGE%20FINAL.pdf |date=2012-04-17 }}, Peter W. Edge, RUTGERS JOURNAL OF LAW & RELIGION, Spring 2010, pages 366-371</ref>

===1997–2003: Under Abu Hamza al-Masri===
{{Main|Abu Hamza al-Masri}}
[[File:Finsbury Park Mosque Dome.jpg|thumb|250px|The interior of the dome inside the North London Central Mosque]]
The mosque rose to notoriety after [[Abu Hamza al-Masri]] became its imam in 1997.<ref name="Abu Hamza profile" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/finsbury-park-mosque-emerging-from-the-shadow-of-abu-hamza-9428300.html|author=Charlotte Philby|title=Finsbury Park Mosque: Emerging from the shadow of Abu Hamza|date=23 May 2014|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=27 August 2017|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612170837/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/finsbury-park-mosque-emerging-from-the-shadow-of-abu-hamza-9428300.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he consolidated his control of the mosque, with his followers preventing anyone they did not trust from entering it.<ref name="Abu Hamza profile">[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-11701269 Abu Hamza profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616083534/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-11701269 |date=16 June 2018 }}, BBC News (January 9, 2015).</ref>In March,13,1998,a rally was held in London for the 'Kosovo Jihad' and was allegedly backed by over 50 Islamic groups including the [[Taliban]] and [[Hamas]].At the same time the Islamic soceity of London led by a Kosovar-Albanian Sheik Muhammad Stubla who was lobbying and gathering money for the [[Kosovo Liberation Army]] using donations from muslims attending the mosque<ref>https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/The_Coming_Balkan_Caliphate.html?id=BarOEAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_entity&hl=en&gl=GB&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false</ref>.According to the mosque's current administration, although originally appointed by the trustees, Abu Hamza gradually took over the mosque from them.<ref name=MoreThanJustAMosque /> When the mosque's trustees asked him to leave, they allege that he resorted to intimidation.<ref name= Hijacked /> In October 1998, the trustees went to the High Court to stop Abu Hamza from preaching at the mosque.<ref name=Hijacked>{{cite news|title=A haven for faithful hijacked by extremists|url=https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/a-haven-for-faithful-hijacked-by-extremists-dshlnsvmkhc|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-date=14 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214071529/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-haven-for-faithful-hijacked-by-extremists-dshlnsvmkhc|url-status=live}}</ref> They were granted an injunction, but it was not enforced. Many trustees reported being barred from their own mosque by Abu Hamza's supporters and even being assaulted.<ref name= Hijacked /> In April 2002, the [[Charity Commission for England and Wales]] suspended Abu Hamza from preaching,<ref name= Hijacked /> but he continued anyway.<ref name=Telegraph />  [[Djamel Beghal]] used the mosque as his "base," as he planned a foiled [[2001 attack U.S. Embassy Paris plot|2001 suicide bombing of the American Embassy in Paris]].<ref name="RotellaTraining">{{cite news|last1=Rotella|first1=Sebastian|title=Embassy plot offers insight into terrorist recruitment, training|work=Chicago Tribune|date=22 October 2001}}</ref><ref name="RaynerBeghal">{{cite news|last1=Rayner|first1=Gordon|title=Charlie Hebdo suspect 'mentored' by Abu Hamza disciple, Djamal Beghal|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11333776/Charlie-Hebdo-suspect-mentored-by-Abu-Hamza-disciple.html|access-date=13 December 2017|work=Telegraph|date=8 January 2015|archive-date=25 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225231828/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11333776/Charlie-Hebdo-suspect-mentored-by-Abu-Hamza-disciple.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During Abu Hamza's control, the mosque's attendance dropped.<ref name=MoreThanJustAMosque /><ref name=debating>{{cite book|title=Debating the War of Ideas |author=J. Gallagher |author2=E. Patterson|pages=213–214|year=2009}}</ref> Most of the attendees were his followers. The mosque also became a meeting point for many radical Muslims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/finsbury-park-mosque-links-to-radical-islamic-terrorism/news-story/a568aac3ccd955868bca1f1a8c792812|title=Mosque links to radical terrorism|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-date=24 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624180425/http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/finsbury-park-mosque-links-to-radical-islamic-terrorism/news-story/a568aac3ccd955868bca1f1a8c792812|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/finsbury-park-mosque-from-terrorist-hostel-to-symbol-of-modernity-openness-and-tolerance-79715|title=Finsbury Park Mosque: from 'terrorist hostel' to symbol of modernity, openness and tolerance|first=Kurt|last=Barling|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619175346/http://theconversation.com/finsbury-park-mosque-from-terrorist-hostel-to-symbol-of-modernity-openness-and-tolerance-79715|url-status=live}}</ref> According to [[Guantanamo Bay files leak|leaked US documents]], Finsbury Park mosque previously served "as a haven" for Islamic extremists who subsequently fought against allied forces in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13197331 |title=Finsbury Park mosque 'was a haven' for extremists |date=26 April 2011 |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617021418/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13197331 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Al Qaeda]] operatives including "shoebomber" [[Richard Reid (terrorist)|Richard Reid]] and [[Zacarias Moussaoui]] attended the mosque.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article343843.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209033319/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article343843.ece|archive-date=9 February 2006|author=Neville Dean and Nick Allen, [[Press Association|PA]]|title=Finsbury Park mosque's terrorist roll call|date=7 February 2006|work=[[The Independent]] |location=London}}</ref> In 2002, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that weapons training had taken place inside the building.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/feb/17/terrorism.religion |work=The Guardian |location=London |title=AK-47 training held at London mosque |first=Jason |last=Burke |date=17 February 2002 |access-date=20 May 2010 |archive-date=26 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826001954/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/feb/17/terrorism.religion |url-status=live }}</ref> On 11 September 2002, a conference was held at the mosque titled "A Towering Day in History" to praise the [[September 11 hijackers]] on the anniversary of the attack with the participation of [[Anjem Choudary]], Abu Hamza, [[Omar Bakri Mohammed]], [[Mohammad al-Massari]] and others.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/sep/12/september11.usa2 Radicals meet at north London mosque to mark 'towering day'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416012649/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/sep/12/september11.usa2 |date=16 April 2018 }}, Guardian, 12 September 2002</ref><ref>[http://insct.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Wiktorowicz.Joining-the-Cause.pdf Wiktorowicz, Quintan. "Joining the cause: Al-Muhajiroun and radical Islam."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430092942/http://insct.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Wiktorowicz.Joining-the-Cause.pdf |date=30 April 2016 }}, The Roots of Islamic Radicalism conference, Yale. Devji, F (2005) ''Landscapes of the Jihad: Militancy, Morality and Modernity''. London: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd. 2004., (page 13)</ref> In the late 1990s, Abu Hamza and the mosque became the leading international spiritual reference supporting the [[Armed Islamic Group of Algeria]] (GIA) in the [[Algerian Civil War]], at a time when the GIA was spurned even by most Salafi-jihadist groups for their [[List of massacres during the Algerian Civil War|massacres of civilians]].<ref>{{Cite book |author=Lyubov Grigorova Mincheva |author2=Lyubov Grigorova |author3=Ted Robert Gurr |title=Crime-terror Alliances and the State: Ethnonationalist and Islamist Challenges to Regional Security|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vFNwrdnzQq0C&pg=PA96|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|pages=96–97|isbn=978-0-415-50648-9}}</ref><ref name="gilles">{{Cite book|first=Gilles|last=Kepel|title=Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OLvTNk75hUoC&pg=PA263|year=2006 |publisher=I.B.Tauris|page=272|isbn=978-1-84511-257-8}}</ref>

The United States charged Abu Hamza as a "terrorist facilitator with a global reach" in 2004; he was arrested,<ref name="Abu Hamza profile" /> sentenced in the UK to a seven-year prison sentence in 2006,<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-19787234/archive-abu-hamza-guilty-of-inciting-murder Archive: Abu Hamza guilty of inciting murder] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617032715/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-19787234/archive-abu-hamza-guilty-of-inciting-murder |date=17 June 2018 }}, BBC News (February 7, 2006)</ref> and subsequently [[extradition|extradited]] to the United States where he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.<ref name="Woolf">Nicky Woolf, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/09/abu-hamza-sentenced-life-impisonment-terrorism-conviction Abu Hamza sentenced to life in prison on US terrorism conviction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423101819/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/09/abu-hamza-sentenced-life-impisonment-terrorism-conviction |date=23 April 2016 }}, ''The Guardian'' (January 9, 2015).</ref> According to [[Guantanamo Bay files leak|disclosures via WikiLeaks]], several [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp]] detainees passed through the mosque prior to their subsequent activities.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8472854/WikiLeaks-how-Britain-became-a-haven-for-migrant-extremists.html WikiLeaks: how Britain 'became a haven for migrant extremists'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613010459/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8472854/WikiLeaks-how-Britain-became-a-haven-for-migrant-extremists.html |date=13 June 2018 }}, ''Telegraph'', 25 April 2011</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=VV5MAQAAQBAJ&dq=%22finsbury+park+mosque%22+guantanamo+wikileaks&pg=PA28 ''Responding to the Threat of Violent Extremism: Failing to Prevent''], by Paul Thomas, 2012, {{ISBN|978-1-84966-525-4}}, page 28</ref>

The mosque's role in facilitating terror operations during these years is often mentioned in the context of the [[Londonistan]], which was widely used by the international espionage community to describe London, due to the liberty afforded to Muslim extremists by British authorities.<ref>[http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/06/hitchens200706 Londonistan Calling] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620190848/http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/06/hitchens200706 |date=20 June 2017 }}, Vanity Fair, June 2007</ref><ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11333494/Abu-Hamza-trial-Finsbury-Park-mosque-informant-Reda-Hassaine-sees-his-enemy-jailed.html Abu Hamza trial: Finsbury Park mosque informant Reda Hassaine sees his enemy jailed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416083158/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11333494/Abu-Hamza-trial-Finsbury-Park-mosque-informant-Reda-Hassaine-sees-his-enemy-jailed.html |date=16 April 2018 }}, ''The Daily Telegraph'', January 2015</ref>

===2003–2005: Shutdown and re-opening===
In 2003, 150 anti-terrorist police officers conducted a nighttime raid on the building as part of the investigation into the alleged [[Wood Green ricin plot]].<ref name="BBCFinsburyRaid">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-19787236/archive-police-raid-finsbury-park-mosque|title=Archive: Police raid Finsbury Park mosque|work=BBC News|date=January 20, 2003|access-date=22 June 2018|archive-date=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117085914/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-19787236/archive-police-raid-finsbury-park-mosque|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBCRaid">{{cite web|title=Anti-terror police raid London mosque|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2675223.stm|work=BBC News|date=January 20, 2003|access-date=19 June 2017|archive-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411164519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2675223.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Police seized a stun gun and a [[CS gas]] canister, among other items,<ref name="BBCFinsburyRaid"/> and arrested seven men under the [[Terrorism Act 2000]].<ref name="BBCRaid"/> The police action had the effect of removing Abu Hamza and his supporters from the mosque.<ref name=Mark>{{cite book|title=Intelligence, Security and Policing Post-9/11: The UK's Response to the 'War on Terror'|author=Mark Phythian|year=2008|pages=129–130}}</ref>

After the raid, the police handed the mosque to its trustees, who promptly closed it for repairs.<ref name=Mark/> The trustees also stated that they were closing it "while it was cleaned of the physical and spiritual filth...".<ref name="Ramirez">Ramirez, Debbie and Quinlan, Tara Lai, "The Greater London Experience: Essential Lessons Learned in Law Enforcement - Community Partnerships and Terrorism Prevention" (2011). School of Law Faculty Publications. 351.[http://lsr.nellco.org/nusl_faculty/351] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130121809/https://lsr.nellco.org/nusl_faculty/351/|date=30 November 2018}}</ref> Abu Hamza continued to preach each Friday in the street outside the closed mosque until his arrest in May 2004.<ref name=Telegraph/>

In August 2004 the mosque was reopened, but after reports "hardliners" again asserted control in December 2004, the Charity Commission intervened again and appointed a new board of trustees with the support of the [[Muslim Association of Britain]] (MAB), who were asked by the police, the former trustees, and others to try to turn it around. After changing the locks and taking physical control of the building, the mosque was reopened under heavy police presence.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4258891.stm New start for 'extremist' mosque] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831174606/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4258891.stm |date=31 August 2018 }}, BBC, 11 February 2005</ref><ref name="EdgeHardLawSoftPower"/>

Dr. [[Azzam Tamimi]], a leading member of MAB, described the mosque takeover as "one of the very rare success stories where the Muslim community and others came together and decided to rescue the mosque", although a minority complained of lack of consultation, with Ashgar Bukhari of the campaign group [[Muslim Public Affairs Committee UK]] saying that the committee should have been elected.<ref name="BBCBattleForTheMosque">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4639074.stm|author=Dominic Casciani and Sharif Sakr|title=The battle for the mosque|date=7 February 2006|work=BBC News|access-date=7 February 2006|archive-date=2 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502021553/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4639074.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The new management condemned former imam Abu Hamza.<ref name=MoreThanJustAMosque/>

===2006–2013: Reformation===
Since reopening, it is widely acknowledged that the mosque has not been associated with radical views.<ref>{{cite news|title=Van attack on London Muslims suggests new polarization|url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/uk-moves-to-ease-tensions-after-van-attack-on-london-muslims/wcm/7c54346d-ffc9-4644-95a2-2dd727b04db8|quote= However, the mosque was shut down and reorganized and has not been associated with radical views for more than a decade.|work=[[National Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=London mosque attack suspect identified as U.K. authorities move to ease tensions|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/06/19/1-killed-10-injured-in-london-terror-attack-near-mosque.html|quote=After those attacks, the mosque was shut down and reorganized and has not been associated with radical views for more than a decade.|work=[[Toronto Star]]|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-date=20 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620052956/https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/06/19/1-killed-10-injured-in-london-terror-attack-near-mosque.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  British authorities have described the transformation of the mosque to be a major accomplishment.<ref name=debating /> ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' reported that Finsbury Park Mosque's transformation from "radical hotbed" to "model of community relations" has "since been widely regarded as a success story".<ref name=Telegraph>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/19/finsbury-park-mosque-radical-hotbed-transformed-model-community/ The Finsbury Park Mosque: radical hotbed transformed to model of community relations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413045533/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/19/finsbury-park-mosque-radical-hotbed-transformed-model-community/ |date=13 April 2018 }}, ''The Daily Telegraph'', 19 June 2017</ref> The mosque made an effort to build ties with the local community, including local MP [[Jeremy Corbyn]], and started engaging non-Muslims and local authorities.<ref name=MoreThanJustAMosque />

In 2007 the [[Policy Exchange]] think tank, in a report titled ''The hijacking of British Islam'', said they had purchased a number of allegedly extremist Islamic books at the mosque.<ref name="PolicyExchangeHijacking"/> The mosque disputed the allegation, and sued for libel,<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tories-favourite-think-tank-sued-by-muslim-group-897548.html Tories' favourite think-tank sued by Muslim group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804222811/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tories-favourite-think-tank-sued-by-muslim-group-897548.html |date=4 August 2017 }}, ''Independent'', August 2008</ref> a case that was struck on the technicality that the mosque as an unincorporated charitable trust is not a corporate entity or legal person and thus not able to claim defamation.<ref>[http://www.5rb.com/case/north-london-central-mosque-trust-v-policy-exchange-anor/ North London Central Mosque Trust v Policy Exchange & Anor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706073515/http://www.5rb.com/case/north-london-central-mosque-trust-v-policy-exchange-anor/ |date=6 July 2017 }}, Reference [2009] EWHC 3311 (QB), Court Queen's Bench Division, 29 November 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/eady-mosque-charitable-trust-cant-sue-for-libel/ Eady: Mosque charitable trust can't sue for libel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804221449/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/eady-mosque-charitable-trust-cant-sue-for-libel/ |date=4 August 2017 }}, ''Press Gazette'', 22 December 2009</ref><ref>[http://opus.bath.ac.uk/30483/1/SpinwatchReport_ColdWar.pdf Mills, Tom, Tom Griffin, and David Miller. "The Cold War on British Muslims: An Examination of Policy Exchange and the Centre for Social Cohesion."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804220906/http://opus.bath.ac.uk/30483/1/SpinwatchReport_ColdWar.pdf |date=4 August 2017 }} (2011). pages 40-42</ref> Subsequent action by the mosque and its trustees was settled out of court, with the mosque paying some of Policy Exchange's legal fees and with Policy Exchange, while neither retracting nor apologising for their claim of sale, stating that they "never sought to suggest that the literature cited in the Report was sold or distributed at the mosque with the knowledge or consent of the Mosque's trustees or staff."; both sides claimed the settlement as a victory.<ref name="fiftynine">{{cite web |url=http://nlcentralmosque.com/component/content/article/1-latest/220-policy-exchange-admits-nlcm-clear-of-any-wrong-doing.html |title=Policy Exchange admits NLCM clear of any wrong-doing |publisher=Nlcentralmosque.com |access-date=2014-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012145848/http://nlcentralmosque.com/component/content/article/1-latest/220-policy-exchange-admits-nlcm-clear-of-any-wrong-doing.html |archive-date=2014-10-12 }}</ref><ref name="sixty">[http://www.policyexchange.org.uk/news/news.cgi?id=1603 North London Central Mosque's case against Policy Exchange ends. Mosque's appeal dismissed. Statement agreed.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716140210/http://www.policyexchange.org.uk/news/news.cgi?id=1603 |date=July 16, 2011}}</ref>

===2014–2016: Incidents===
[[File:Finsbury Park Mosque 1.jpg|thumb|Prayers at the mosque in 2008]]
In 2014, HSBC Bank closed Finsbury Park Mosque's bank account, and the mosque, unable to open an account with any other high street banks, was forced to turn to a small Islamic bank. The closure was prompted by information in [[World-Check]], a confidential database owned by [[Thomson Reuters]], about reported links to terrorism before 2005 as well as the purported [[Muslim Brotherhood]] links of a current mosque trustee.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33677946  'Why did HSBC shut down bank accounts?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803101519/https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33677946 |date=3 August 2018 }}', BBC, 28 July 2005</ref> In response, the mosque filed a legal case against Thomson Reuters, which was settled in 2017, with Reuters agreeing to issue an apology and pay damages.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/01/finsbury-park-mosque-wins-apology-and-damages-from-reuters | first = Harriet | last = Sherwood | work = [[The Guardian]] | date = 1 February 2017 | title = Finsbury Park mosque wins apology and damages from Thomson Reuters | access-date = 16 May 2017 | archive-date = 21 March 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170321212307/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/01/finsbury-park-mosque-wins-apology-and-damages-from-reuters | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/30/hsbc-shuts-accounts-muslim-organisations-finsbury-park-mosque |title=HSBC shuts accounts of Muslim organisations, including Finsbury Park mosque |first=Haroon |last=Siddique |work=The Guardian |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=2 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202232453/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/30/hsbc-shuts-accounts-muslim-organisations-finsbury-park-mosque |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2014, police arrived at the mosque after a dispute between an [[Al Arabiya]] reporter and the mosque's manager. Both men called the police. The mosque manager claimed that the reporter was engaged in "malicious journalism," while the reporter claimed that he was detained by the manager until the police arrived 30 minutes later.<ref>[http://english.alarabiya.net/en/media/print/2014/08/24/Locked-up-Finsbury-Park-Mosque-detains-journalist-after-tricky-questions.html  'Locked up: Finsbury Park Mosque detains journalist after tricky questions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627124321/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/media/print/2014/08/24/Locked-up-Finsbury-Park-Mosque-detains-journalist-after-tricky-questions.html |date=27 June 2018 }}', ''Al-Arabiya'', August 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/crime-court/boss-of-finsbury-park-mosque-hits-back-at-imprisonment-claims-1-3746342  'Boss of Finsbury Park mosque hits back at imprisonment claims'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130124511/https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/crime-court/boss-of-finsbury-park-mosque-hits-back-at-imprisonment-claims-1-3746342 |date=30 November 2018 }}, ''The Islington Gazette'', August 2014.</ref>

In January 2015, after the [[Charlie Hebdo shooting]], the mosque's "former links with radical preachers resurfaced after the Paris attacks as it was alleged that the Charlie Hebdo gunmen were followers of [[Djamel Beghal]], a radical preacher based there in the late 1990s."<ref name="Dearden">Lizzie Dearden, [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-mosques-sent-death-threats-and-prophet-mohamed-drawings-after-charlie-hebdo-attack-9985127.html 'London mosques receive death threats and Prophet Mohamed drawings after Charlie Hebdo attack'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503064743/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-mosques-sent-death-threats-and-prophet-mohamed-drawings-after-charlie-hebdo-attack-9985127.html |date=3 May 2017 }}, ''The Independent'', January 2015.</ref> The mosque received death threats and [[hate mail]].<ref name="Dearden"/><ref>Hind Hassan, [http://news.sky.com/story/death-threats-received-at-london-mosque-10375042 'Death Threats Received At London Mosque'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130122213/https://news.sky.com/story/death-threats-received-at-london-mosque-10375042 |date=30 November 2018 }}, Sky News, January 2015.</ref> In November 2015, following a mail threat, a man attempted to set fire to the mosque,<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/29/north-london-mosque-targeted-in-suspected-arson-attack 'Finsbury Park mosque targeted in suspected arson attack'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207162103/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/29/north-london-mosque-targeted-in-suspected-arson-attack |date=7 February 2017 }}, ''The Guardian'', November 2015.</ref> an attack that reportedly failed because of heavy rain.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-34957358 "Finsbury Park Mosque: Rain 'saved us from arson attack'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317013002/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-34957358 |date=17 March 2018 }}, BBC, November 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/attempt-burn-down-prominent-london-mosque-terrorist-attack-says-community-leader-1389225055 "Attempt to burn down prominent London mosque a 'terrorist attack'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517235044/http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/attempt-burn-down-prominent-london-mosque-terrorist-attack-says-community-leader-1389225055 |date=17 May 2018 }}, ''The Middle East Eye'', November 2015.</ref> In July 2016, a man threw rotten pork meat at the mosque.<ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/man-throws-rotten-pork-meat-mosque-post-brexit-hate-crime-477449 'Man throws rotten pork meat at mosque in hate crime'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620021452/http://www.newsweek.com/man-throws-rotten-pork-meat-mosque-post-brexit-hate-crime-477449 |date=20 June 2017 }}, ''Newsweek'', April 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/police-hunt-man-after-rotten-meat-thrown-at-finsbury-park-mosque-in-hate-crime-a3286961.html "Police hunt man after rotten meat thrown at Finsbury Park mosque in 'hate crime'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226133226/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/police-hunt-man-after-rotten-meat-thrown-at-finsbury-park-mosque-in-hate-crime-a3286961.html |date=26 December 2018 }}", ''The Independent'', July 2016.</ref>

===2017 terrorist attack===
{{Main|2017 Finsbury Park mosque van attack}}
Shortly after midnight on 19 June 2017, several worshippers leaving the nearby Finsbury Park Mosque were struck by a hired van in a terrorist attack. One person died of multiple injuries and ten were injured. The attack was widely condemned and seen by local Muslim leaders as part of rising [[Islamophobia in the United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Finsbury Park attack: Muslim leaders denounce 'most violent manifestation' of Islamophobia|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/19/muslim-body-condemns-senseless-evil-attack-finsbury-park/|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=19 June 2017|date=19 June 2017|archive-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619040320/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/19/muslim-body-condemns-senseless-evil-attack-finsbury-park/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the attack, Mohammed Kozbar, the chairman of the Finsbury Park mosque, said that the mosque had received multiple death threats.<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en/article/london-mosque-targeted-in-terror-attack-now-receiving-death-threats/ London Mosque Targeted in Terror Attack Now Receiving Death Threats] , Vice News, Hind Hassan, 30 June 2017</ref><ref>[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/islamophobic-rivers-blood-threats-finsbury-park-mosque-wake-terror-attack-1628499 Islamophobic 'rivers of blood' threats to Finsbury Park Mosque in wake of terror attack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630180252/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/islamophobic-rivers-blood-threats-finsbury-park-mosque-wake-terror-attack-1628499 |date=30 June 2017 }}, International Business Times, Ewan Palmer, 30 June 2017</ref> In February 2018 the perpetrator, Darren Osborne, was sentenced to [[Life imprisonment in England and Wales|life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 43 years]] with simultaneous terms for murder and attempted murder.<ref>{{cite news|quote=Darren Osborne, 48, was found guilty of murdering Makram Ali, 51, after deliberately ploughing into a crowd of people in Finsbury Park in June|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42920929|title=Finsbury Park attacker Darren Osborne jailed for minimum of 43 years|date=2 February 2018|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-date=3 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203093556/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42920929|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rawlinson|first=Kevin|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/02/finsbury-park-attack-darren-osborne-jailed|title=Darren Osborne jailed for life for Finsbury Park attack|work=The Guardian|date=2 February 2018|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-date=2 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202130337/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/02/finsbury-park-attack-darren-osborne-jailed|url-status=live}}</ref>