Finsbury Park Mosque: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

People walk past Finsbury Park Mosque during a mosques open day in London on February 1, 2015. (Getty)

A van veered into crowds and struck pedestrians near the Finsbury Park Mosque in London.

The mosque has long been controversial for ties to Al-Qaeda and other terrorists, but it’s tried to remake itself as a place for positive community dialogue, even being visited by some of England’s most prominent politicians.

It was not yet clear whether the vehicle ramming was deliberate but a man believed to be the driver was surrounded by angry people, according to UK Independent.

It was not clear whether the attack had any nexus to terrorism, and some reports said that the victims were Muslims. Obviously, reports of a vehicle ramming into people have become all too familiar as terrorists, some influenced by ISIS, have increasingly used that modus operandi of attack.

What’s the Finsbury Park Mosque?

Here’s what you need to know:

1. There Were Unconfirmed Claims That Worshippers Were Targeted After Praying at the Mosque

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Details were fluid and unconfirmed in the moments after the incident occurred.

The Independent reported that police would not confirm reports that “Muslims leaving the mosque after Tarawih prayers performed for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.”

Early reports said there were casualties without being specific.

2. The Mosque Was Previously Linked to Al-Qaeda & Other Terrorists

Imam Abu Hamza al-Masri addressing his followers outside Finsbury Park mosque in north London. Radical Islamic cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri should be extradited to the United States to face possible charges on backing Al-Qaeda and involvement in hostage-taking, a court ruled Thursday 15 November 2007. The one-eyed, hook-handed former Imam of the notorious Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, has been behind bars since being sentenced to seven years in February 2006 on charges of race hate and soliciting to murder. (Getty)