Imam condemns bombing as 'an act of evil'

Abid Salik said the terror attack had no basis in Islam or in any other religion and said the victims were "children, innocents, young people enjoying themselves."

He said anybody who could claim to find in religion a justification for committing such an act against such people was lying to themself.

He added that the victims of Monday night's bombing were in the hearts and minds of 'every single member' of York's Muslim community, which would extend every comfort and support it could to victims and their families.

Asked how Muslims should respond to the atrocity, he said there was only one way: this Friday saw the beginning of Ramadan, a month devoted to tolerance, patience and empathy with the needs of others. "Let's let that bring us all together," he said.

He revealed that a man called David had come to the door of the mosque and said he had a simple message for York's Muslim community: if there was any kind of anti-Muslim backlash, it was not in his name.

Mr Salik said that was hugely important. "We have to come together, as one voice, one humanity."