The director of Finsbury Park Mosque has appealed to young Muslims to support charities working for Syrian refugees rather than go and fight in the civil war-ravaged country.
Mohammed Kozbar was speaking after it emerged that two brothers from Holloway had been killed fighting in the civil war.
Akram, 24, and Mohamed Sebah, 28, from Cornwallis Square, were referred to as the “lions of England” on social media websites after it emerged at the weekend they had been killed. Their family thought they had died in a car crash.
Akram, a former estate agent in Finsbury Park, and older brother Mohamed, whose family are Eritrean, appear to have given up comfortable and seemingly happy lives in the borough to travel to Syria.
They were reported to have been recruited by an extreme Islamic group fighting government forces in the country.
Neighbours in the square where they lived were initially told the brothers had died in a car accident.
It was only after a report that al-Qaeda was boasting that the brothers were being hailed as “lions of England” and photos of them with weapons were circulated that the real story became apparent.
In the square this week residents paid tribute to the brothers, describing them as friendly and popular and coming from a good family who lived in a neat housing association property.
Akram studied biomedical sciences at Westminster University from 2008 to 2011, and worked part-time at Marks & Spencer, according to his online LinkedIn profile.
He described his interests as “socialising, football, meeting new people, psychology, comedy, sports, sports... and sports.”
He joined estate agent Ludlow Thompson, in Blackstock Road, Finsbury Park, where customers gave him positive reviews.
One wrote online: “He is friendly and polite; easy to speak to and understanding about my requirements. Gives estate agents a good name and, unlike many, his attitude is very admirable; he is trying to help you find a property that is perfect for you – not just after a quick deal to help himself.”
He later joined Cherry Pick People, a recruitment firm which headhunts estate agents. Its director Alex Wiffen said: “Akram always came across as a really nice guy. I was certainly never given any indication that he was involved in anything untoward.
“I had been informed that he had tragically died in a car crash.”
Mohamed Sebah studied for A-levels at City and Islington College and is believed to have later taught English in Saudi Arabia.
Finsbury Park councillor Phil Kelly said: “We all have to do a lot of work to stop young people being led astray by combat groups and particularly by extremists.
“I know that’s the view of all Muslim organisations and the mosques.
“It just means we have to redouble our efforts to support moderate mainstream Muslims and the rest of the community needs to play a role as well.”
Mohammed Kozbar said he could understand young people becoming angry and frustrated over the enormous Syrian death toll, with more than 150,000 killed, including many women and children.
“They see that nothing is being done to stop the bloodshed and want to do their bit,” he added.
“I don’t know what group the brothers joined but I can say there are other ways to help the Syrian people.
“The wise way is to support the many charities in the field helping refugees with desperately-needed food and aid.”
During a Parliamentary debate on Monday Keith Vaz MP said he had seen evidence that 366 British citizens had gone to fight in Syria and returned to the UK.