Finchley Reform to host meeting on arson of Muslim community centre

Finchley Reform Synagogue will host the first full update on the criminal investigation of the suspected arson at the Somali Bravanese community centre in June 2013.

The event is being coordinated by Barnet Citizens, and will be attended by the Leader of Barnet Council Richard Cornelius, and Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Usher.

The Somali Bravanese Welfare Association is a charity built by and around the Somali Bravanese refugees that came to London in the 1990s.  Abubakar Ali, Chairman of the Somali Bravanese said “Our community need to know what is happening with the criminal investigation – we fear the person who did this to us is still in the local area”

Andrew Jacobs, a member of Finchley Reform Synagogue and the North London Citizens executive, said “I’m proud of what North London Citizens has achieved in bringing together such diverse communities. This did not happen by accident or chance; this is a wonderful example of what can happen when communities are organized to work together for the common good.”

North London Citizens rallied around the Bravanese – members of Barnet Citizens-  co-ordinating rooms for after school activities at Eden and Hendon Schools, and Ramadan and Eid at Finchley Reform and Kinloss United.

Finchley Reform Synagogue hosted the Bravanese for Ramadan for two years in a row, receiving commendation from the Prime Minister.

In May 2014 the 9 members of Barnet Citizens held a ‘Barnet Citizens assembly’ with the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition, winning, amongst other things, £1.1 million for a rebuild of the building and a promise from the Chief Superintendent to meet and discuss the criminal investigation. Almost one year later this promise is finally being fulfilled