MUSLIM religious leaders in Lancashire today condemned the terrorist attack on America and warned against a knee-jerk reaction from the USA and the rest of the world.

Chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, Ibrahim Master, said the Muslim community across the county was shocked and horrified at this week's events.

He said: "What we have seen is absolutely unimaginable and I am sure the horrifying images we have seen on television will remain etched in our memories forever.

"We condemn such acts of violence and hope that terror of this nature is not compounded by knee-jerk reactions that would make victims of other innocent peoples of the world. That would only add to the devastation"

He added: "The Muslim community across Lancashire is deeply shocked and horrified at the astounding atrocities that have taken place in America. The magnitude of loss of human lives and damage to buildings is profusely disturbing.

"Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with the people of America during this time of tragic loss."

Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP backed the calls for calm when he told the Commons today British Muslims were not terrorists.

Mr Straw, whose Blackburn constituency has a large Muslim population, said: "The American attacks have nothing to do with the Islamic faiths. The vast majority of Muslims are as horrified as any of us at this."

Meanwhile the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, today encouraged Lancashire's Church of England communities to pray for peace.

He said: "These were events of almost unimaginable tragedy, devastating thousands, if not millions of lives. "They remind us of the deepest shades of evil, and the fragility of the ordinary and the good.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected; the bereaved and the injured; the emergency services in their courage and endurance and the political leaders from many countries from many countries whose responsibilities for reaction and response stretch far into the future.

"Above all, we must pray, hope and work for the healing of damaging differences in our world and in our local communities.

"In prayer and in action, we must commend to God, and to those around us, the good which comes when people of different faiths and cultures are able to live and work together in the rainbow societies of our multi-cultural county.

"As Christians we pray for God's peace, in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

"We see in the candles, lit in our cathedral and in other places, symbols of light and hope in these dark days and we are reminded that our hope remains in God for peace in our hearts, our local communities and throughout the world."

And the Blackburn with Darwen Racial Equality Council condemned the attacks as "attacks against humanity."

Vice chairman Jamal Patel said: "We stand shoulder to shoulder with our government and British people in this hour of grief and sorrow."