A PRAYER vigil is being held this afternoon for the Imam of a Finsbury Park mosque who was murdered yesterday.

Sheikh Maymoun Zarzour, 39, was attacked in his office at the Muslim Welfare Centre yesterday morning, after leading morning prayers.

The Imam, who was blind and originaally from Lebanon, was declared dead at the scene.

The trust which runs the Islam centre announced his death on its website, saying: “The police are investigating the case but it is thought that he was killed inside his office.

“We would like to send our condolences to all the Muslims in this north London and the UK.

“The sheikh was very friendly and never had an argument with anyone in the community during his career in this mosque.”

Police arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of murder. The motive for the attack is not yet known, but police say it is not believed to be related to race or faith.

After his death, a call to prayer was put out among the Muslim community around Finsbury Park to attend a prayer vigil at Holloway School this afternoon.

Police have stepped up patrols around the area following the murder, and were standing guard outside the centre yesterday.