| 10 February 2012
Vigilance can report that MP Mr Jeremy Corbyn MP, the Minister and the representatives of the local Somali community yesterday in London met and discussed the purpose of the forthcoming London Conference on Somalia scheduled to take place on 23 February, and how to make the most of the opportunities it represents. The debate which Vigilance learnt was wide ranging was said to have covered political issues around the transition, security and humanitarian issues, and domestic concerns.
Mr Bellingham said: “We value the huge contribution made by the Somali diaspora in supporting the development of the homeland. It is telling that diaspora communities from around the world remit more money back home than the international community gives in aid. Those who migrated often left families behind, and have continued to work tirelessly in a voluntary capacity to improve the lives of their relatives back home. We are keen to work with the them to help inform UK policy making and shape a better future for Somalia.”
Without doubt the the Somali diaspora in Finsbury Park are at the heart of the local community with many fairly recently arrived as refugees from conflict and drought, and have since built up small businesses that support the local economy.
It was said following the closure of the Finsbury Park mosque in 2003 when Abu Hamza was the Imam, the Somali community played an integral role in transforming it into a thriving place of worship and community centre that plays a constructive and positive role. A new Board of Trustees was appointed, which included a Somali community leader and worked with the local authority, the police, community and MPs to reopen the mosque, with new imams and a new ethos.
Mr Mohammed Kozbar, the Chairman of Finsbury Park Mosque said: “This meeting was very important and not just for the local Somali community. Somalia is a global issue about which all the Muslims who worship here are concerned. We are keen to support the Governments effort to help find a solution.”