AS members of the Muslim and Christian communities we wish to express our shared horror and condemnation of the acts of terrorism that took play in the USA last week.

As with millions of others we offer our thoughts and prayers for those who have died, those who have been injured, and those who grieve. And we wish to offer our prayers for those who planned and undertook these acts of terror.

Together we condemn whoever is responsible for these acts.

Together, our faiths deny any justification for these murders.

We need to recognize that in Islam there is no warrant and place for this carnage. Islam is a faith rooted in submission to Allah/God and justice towards all people. These acts of terror are not justified within Islam; these murders are not justified under any claim of justice. The Christian Gospel, founded in the love of God, rejects murder as being against the will of God.

However, it is not enough to condemn. We also recognize that terrorists develop out of specific circumstances. The causes which enable such groups to emerge have to be understood and addressed.

The eventual redemption of this slaughter must involve the trial of the suspected perpetrators and, if needed, the remedying of the situations which lead to the emergence of terrorists.

At a time like this it is important that Christians and Muslims of goodwill stand together in solidarity.

REV KEITH TRIVASSE,

MOHAMMAD KHAN

(ISLAMIC CENTRE),

HASIB EJAZ,

ASIF JAVED,

ZAREEF KHAN,

REV DR FRANCES WARD,

REV IAN STAMP,

MR BILAL,

DR AWAN.