A kind-hearted group of Muslim volunteers handed out roses at Forest Hill station after a passenger was stabbed in an alleged anti-Islamic attack on a train.
The young volunteers gathered outside the station during rush hour on Wednesday morning to give out the flowers as a gesture of peace in response to the alleged attack.
Victim Muhammed Askar Ali suffered injuries to his head and torso after he was allegedly stabbed by a man who shouted “I’m going to kill a Muslim” on Monday afternoon.
The rose giving was organised by The Dialogue Society, from Holloway, and the Mevlana Rumi Mosque in Edmonton.
Rush hour gesture: Commuters gather round the volunteers at Forest Hill stationThe Dialogue Society/Mevlana Rumi MosqueVolunteer Gulistan Arslan, 23, told the Standard: “We went to spread peace in the community by giving out roses.
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“A lot of people came and approached us. We met a young lady who witnessed what happened.
“She told us what we were doing really warmed her heart and that really got me teary.
“I was so surprised by how many people approached us and gave us hugs.
“We’ve had so much wonderful reaction on social media.
Act of kindness: A group of Muslim volunteers outside Forest Hill stationThe Dialogue Society/Mevlana Rumi Mosque“The police were there and they helped us to give out roses too. It was a really nice and friendly atmosphere.”
The act of kindness sparked a positive reaction on social media from commuters.
A woman named Rhona tweeted: “Lovely women at Forest Hill Station offering roses to all, beautiful gesture of community healing and love #SE23.”
Daniel Mason said: “Making Forest Hill and the world beautiful again, thank you to these wonderful girls this morning #foresthill #roses.”
Erica said: “Moved by the lovely Muslim women handing out roses at Forest Hill station. A beautiful gesture in the light of Monday's events. #se23 #unity.”
He was remanded in custody to appear at Southwark crown court on January 11.