Dr Williams led more than 500 bishops, clergy and lay members in a minute's silence at the meeting in York after also drawing attention to the anxieties felt by British Muslims.

He said: "We are all deeply conscious of the anxiety, stress and grief that affects so many people, especially in London.

"Also, we're aware of the anxieties of many parts of the Muslim community of the possibility of backlash violence."

Dr Williams said he had received messages of support for the people of London from around the world. He said that Archbishop Desmond Tutu, from South Africa, had contacted him to express "his prayers and his love for all those affected by the tragedy of the last 36 hours."

Many of the Synod members who got up to speak in the first session about the meeting's agenda expressed their sympathy and their shock following yesterday's event.

Meanwhile, the President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Henry Grunwald QC, together with the Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks attended an emergency meeting of the capital's faith leaders with Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary.

A spokesman said: "During the meeting it was agreed that there should be a clear message to all that the faith communities in London will continue to work together to promote good communal relations in the UK.

"All faiths have joined together in condemning the attacks on London, and the terrorists who have carried out these atrocities."

The Methodist Church published prayers to be said "in the face of terrorism" for those who are injured, maimed, traumatised and dying. A service for reconciliation and hope will take place at St Paul's Cathedral on Sunday at 6pm. The quiet, meditative service, to be led by Canon Martin Warner, will include prayers for all involved.

The Dean and Chapter at St Paul's are in discussion with various bodies about a service in the near future for both the City and the nation to remember those involved.

A special service commemorating the attacks will also be held at London's St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square on Sunday at 8.10am. The service, to be broadcast live on BBC Radio 4, will have the Bishop of London, the Right Rev Richard Chartres, and prayers from Rabbi Mark Solomon and Dr Fatma Amur, a Muslim. The Rev Nicholas Holtam, the Vicar, said: "What we are planning is prayers for those who have died and those who are injured but very much on the theme that goodness is stronger than evil and that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."

There will also be a peace vigil in Friends House garden, Euston Road, tomorrow between 5pm and 6pm. Thousands of people sought shelter at Friends House in the aftermath of the bombing at Kings Cross.

The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, at a Mass at Westminster Cathedral this evening, said: "The people who carried out these monstrous acts with chilling efficiency and forethought are believed to have acted in the name of religion. If so, it is not a religion recognisable to the religious people of this world... It is a false god, one projected from the darkest recesses of the human heart."

Meanwhile, British Muslims throughout the country prayed for the victims during Friday jumu'ah prayers today. Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary–General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "Our faith of Islam calls upon us to be upholders of justices. The day after London was bloodied by terrorists finds us determined to help secure this justice for the innocent victims of yesterday's carnage. The terrorists may have thought they could divide us and make us panic. It is our hope that we will all prove them conclusively wrong."

The Muslim Council urged Muslims in Britain to go about their daily routines and not be intimidated or cowed by fear. "This would be the wrong response to the tragic events of yesterday morning," said Sir Iqbal. "Irrespective of who may be behind the bombings in the capital, The Muslim Council condemns all acts of terror vehemently."

Muslims in East London confirmed that a conference, Heroes of Islam, will still go ahead tomorrow at the London Muslim Centre.

The organisers, the Young Muslim Organisation UK, who have invited representatives from Scotland Yard to attend, said that the "heroes" were the companions of the Prophet Mohammed. The intention was to instruct Muslims on how to "overcome with knowledge", said a spokesman.

The organisation's website advocates the al-Ikhwan al-Muslimeen movement, which has as its slogan: "Allah is our objective. The Messenger is our leader. Qur'an is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope."

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