Skipton'S Islamic community has condemned the bombings in London and said the perpetrators have sinned against God.

Mohammad Saghir, vice-president of the Skipton Islamic Society, said that the Koran was clear in forbidding the murder of innocent people and there could be no justification for the bombings.

Speaking on behalf of Skipton's Muslims, he said it was important for the wider community to know that there was no sympathy whatsoever for the bombers and their cause.

At Friday prayers, the Skipton Islamic community was told by mosque secretary Shabir Hussein that the bombings were a crime against God. Representatives of Churches Together in Skipton were at the prayer meeting.

Mr Saghir said Skipton's Muslims sent their condolences and deepest sympathies to all victims of the bombings.

"Whoever carried out these attacks claimed innocent lives and many of the victims were Muslims," he said.

"I cannot understand what they thought they could achieve, they have set back the cause of Muslims in this country.

"I condemned the war in Iraq and I condemn what is going on in Palestine, but this is closer to home and I, as an individual, am outraged and upset."

Mr Saghir said the Koran specifically forbade killing innocent people, saying anyone who did so would not even smell the fragrance of paradise, let alone have a chance of getting there.

He quoted a verse from the Koran - "To kill one human is to kill the whole of mankind, to save one life is to save the whole of mankind."

He continued: "These people cannot be true Muslims. They seem to have some sort of a mental disease. We cannot understand what they think they could achieve."

Mr Saghir did not believe the terrorist attacks on London would harm relations between the different faith communities in Skipton.

He said that relations were very good, with growing trust and respect, but it was important for everyone to realise that Skipton's Muslim community had no sympathy with terrorist attacks.

"There are some who believe it is because of what the British Government has done in Iraq, but there is no-one who believes that it is the right way," he said.

He also said that Muslims had a clear duty to co-operate with the police and prevent further attacks.

Next week Skipton Islamic Society is holding an awareness week in the Town Hall, which is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Designed to remove some of the misconceptions and prejudices against the religion, Mr Saghir said Muslims there would be willing to discuss their faith and their stance.

He also said that anyone who wished to visit Skipton mosque would be welcome.

o Craven District Council chamber fell silent on Tuesday night as members remembered those killed or injured in the bomb blasts in London.

Chairman David Heather said: "What happened has shocked us all. We have read and heard much about what appear to be terrorist attacks resulting in considerable loss of life and many injured and I want us to pay our respects this evening.

"But before that I just want to stress what I am sure we all feel -that this sort of attack on ordinary people going about their everyday lives will not deter us from living our lives how we as a society want to live them.

"Fanatics with bombs are not going to change that.

"Also, it is very important that we send a clear message to those in this country who would use this opportunity to blame ethnic minorities living among us for what has happened.

"The Muslim community here and around the world is as horrified at these attacks as we are."

He added that he had arranged for flags to fly at half-mast at Skipton Town Hall and the council's Granville Street offices.