Imams have used Friday prayers in mosques around Leicester to condemn recent terror attacks in Paris, Beirut and Mali.
Muslim religious leaders gave sermons denouncing the so-called Islamic State, or Daesh, which has claimed responsibility for the deaths of 130 people killed in a series of assaults on the French capital a week ago.
Dr Ather Hussain, of the Sunni Ulama Leicestershire which represents a dozen of the largest mosque in the city, preached to hundreds of people at the Masjid Bilal in Evington Valley Road.
Dr Hussain said: “Today across Leicester, throughout the country and across the Muslim world, imams are using their platforms to show their disgust and resentment and hatred for a group of Muslims who have caused havoc and bloodshed, disappointment and sadness throughout the world.
“Terrorism has no place in Islam.
“You cannot simply kill and pretend it is part of your religion.
“If you have followed what Daesh has been doing in the last two years you will realise it is in reality about money, and power and prestige.
“It is not about religion at all. These are the most godless people.”
Dr Hussain spoke about suggestions that terrorists were infiltrating western Europe posing as refugees.
He said: “I don’t buy into that.
“Four million people have been displaced in Syria.
“These people have fled precisely because of Daesh.
“They are fleeing from this disease.
“They are happy the West has given them a home when all other doors were shut, including most Muslim countries’.
“Saudi Arabia has not opened its borders to the refugees, I am sorry to say.
“Qatar and Jordan have not opened their borders.
“Germany did, France did, Greece did, Slovakia did.
“Are you telling me the people who found safe haven in these countries now are going to blow them up? Of course not.”
Dr Hussain urged worshipers to speak up and stop the extremists.
He said: “People have been saying in the press “Where is this majority of peace-loving majority of Muslims?”
“You are these people and you need to speak up.
“You need to be more vocal and make it very clear that Daesh are infidels.
“You do not have to defend them or be held accountable for what they are doing.
“More than ever before we need to take these terrorists head on, make people in the street realise this is not part of our religion.”
He urged Muslims to be extra vigilant and ensure their safety in the face of potential retribution.
He added: “I say with great pride, we live in a city - Leicester - where we promote mutual love.
“There are many cities in this country that are not like this.”
Chief imam Mohammed Shahid Raza spoke at the Conduit Street Islamic Centre.
He said: “We condemn the cowardly attacks in Paris last Friday in the strongest words possible.
“True Muslims are disgusted that such acts of brutality have been carried out in the name of Islam.
“Prophet Muhammad was sent to extend love, mercy and compassion for all, not to sow the seeds of violence and animosity.”