(Image: Faizal Mohamudbuccus)
York Mosque stood united after a shot was reportedly fired outside by holding its regular event to feed vulnerable people in the community for free.
Faizal Mohamudbuccus, a founder of the York Mosque Community Kitchen, said the volunteers held the event on Thursday (July 30) afternoon, hours after the shot was reportedly fired by an air rifle in Bull Lane.
North Yorkshire Police said a man was arrested after a shot was reportedly fired using the air rifle at about 2.20am.
No one was injured after the alleged incident, the force said.
A police cordon outside York Mosque on Thursday morning (July 30) which has since been lifted
(Image: Kevin Glenton)
Superintendent Ed Haywood-Noble, senior operational Commander for York and Selby, said on Thursday the motivation behind the incident was "not clear".
"We are carrying out detailed enquiries to get a better understanding of the circumstances which resulted in the man’s arrest," he said, adding: “Any suspected offences will be put before the courts."
York Mosque Community Kitchen on Thursday (July 30) with Faizal Mohamudbuccus, centre
(Image: Faizal Mohamudbuccus)
Mr Mohamudbuccus said it was feared the mosque's community kitchen, held every two weeks, would have to be cancelled after the alleged incident but police later gave volunteers the go ahead – and even helped serve food.
He praised the “outpouring of support” for the mosque community after the alleged incident.
Mr Mohamudbuccus told The Press it was “great to see support from the wider public” at the community kitchen.
“York Mosque plays an integral part within the community and people recognise this to the point of showing support and solidarity,” he said. “The outpouring of support for the community and local authorities has been very much appreciated.”
Mr Mohamudbuccus also praised local leaders for rallying around York Mosque after the weapon was reportedly discharged.
York Mosque Community Kitchen on Thursday (July 30)
(Image: Faizal Mohamudbuccus)
York Central MP Rachael Maskell said she was “so grateful to all in our city who have expressed their deep concern” for the mosque after the alleged incident.
The MP called for people to "draw together as a community in light of this shocking incident".
She said she was “grateful to the police” and was “liaising with them further on this situation”.
"My thoughts are with the York Mosque community at this time,” Ms Maskell said.
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The mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, said the mosque is an “important part of York and a place that means a great deal to those who worship there”.
"Incidents like this can knock people's sense of safety, but I know the people of York,” he said. “When something affects one part of our community, people come together, support each other and show what kind of city we are.”
City of York Council's executive member for safer communities, Cllr Anna Perrett, said it is an “unsettling for those who attend the mosque but my hope is this is a one-off, isolated incident and nothing more”.
“The mosque is more than just a place of worship but a community asset for the whole community, one that should be valued and celebrated for bringing people together,” she said.
Anyone with information about the reported incident is asked to contact police quoting reference number 12260145924.
Police said a 44-year-old York man, described as a white UK national, was arrested following the alleged incident and remained in custody on Thursday.