MUSLIMS and Christians in Worcester stand united in condemning the 'appalling' massacre of innocent people in Paris.

Faith leaders and MPs have joined the public in Worcester and Droitwich to condemn the terrorist attacks which left 129 dead and many more wounded as gunmen and suicide bombers brought murder and mayhem to the streets of the French capital on Friday night.

A minute's silence was observed today (Monday) at 11am (GMT) across the country with a point of focus being outside Worcester Guildhall where French, British and Portuguese nationals gathered to pay their respects.

Students and staff at Droitwich Spa High School also observed a minute's silence as did police officers at staff at Worcester Police Station in Castle Street.

The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge said: “I was devastated to learn of the shocking attacks in Paris.

"Like millions of others all over the world, my heart goes out to the families of the victims and to all the people of France.

"Prayers were said across the Diocese on Sunday and all those affected by this outrage will continue to be in my prayers.

“Those who committed these appalling crimes against humanity do not in any way represent true Islam; the majority of people killed by ISIS are actually Muslims.

"I pray that relations between people of different faiths, particularly in France, may not be adversely affected. May peace prevail.”

Haris Saleem, chairman of the Worcester Muslim Welfare Association, said Muslims in the city had the same feelings about the atrocity as everyone else.

He said Muslims felt ashamed that the so-called Islamic State were committing these acts in the name of Islam.

"Islam is getting a bad name from a handful people in the world.

"I know what is happening in Palestine but this does not mean you start doing exactly the same to innocent people.

"This is not civilisation. This is not in the teachings of the Quran, never.

"Whatever excuses they can give there that you can start killing innocent people without any reason.

"I request to the community in Worcester they should know the difference between us and terrorists."

Rev Bev Jameson, Team vicar Droitwich Spa, Salwarpe & Hindlip with Martin Hussingtree said: "The events in Paris were shocking and hard to comprehend.

"I and many others in our parish felt a deep grief and sadness for all those who lost loved ones or who are injured.

"As Christians we believe in God who can transform the darkness of grief into the light of hope.

"On Sunday at St Andrews, St Peters and St Augustine in Droitwich and, St Michael’s Salwarpe and St Michael’s and All Angels Martin Hussingtree we held in our hearts all those affected by the attacks in Paris.

"We prayed for them and for God’s light of hope for our world at this dark time."

Mid Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston said: “I was shocked to hear of the events in Paris on Friday night and horrified when the scale of the attacks and number of victims became clear.

"My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost loves ones in the attacks.

"The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with the French in wanting to tackle extremism and in defeating terrorism at home and abroad.

"I know that the French and international security services will do everything they can to bring any fleeing perpetrators and their helpers to justice.

"The UK threat level is already at "severe" which is the second highest level and it means an attack is "highly likely".

"This level is unlikely to change unless intelligence is discovered to suggest an attack on UK soil is imminent.

"In the meantime, we must all remain vigilant while carrying on with our normal lives."

Mr Huddleston also said he welcome the government’s announcement that new funding will be provided to the intelligence agencies for an additional 1,900 officers – an increase of 15 per cent.

He added: "This is an unfortunate, but necessary move in response to the increasing threat of international terrorist attacks.”

Worcester MP Robin Walker also welcomed the investment in the security service.

Mr Walker who today (Monday) attended a meeting of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Cheltenham where the silence was observed said the existence of such an assembly showed 'in the long run we can overcome terrorism and that this is not done by stigmatising people'.

Mr Walker stressed the importance of engaging with moderates in the Middle East which had also been the way forward in Northern Ireland.

He said: "There must be no space in which these horrendous extremists can operate."

As police carry out a manhunt for Salah Abdeslam, a Belgian-born Frenchman believed to be involved in the Paris terror attacks, more information is emerging about those behind Friday's atrocities that left 129 dead.

Belgian Abdelhamid Abaaoud was named by a French official as the suspected mastermind of the Paris attacks. The official said he has been linked to thwarted attacks on a Paris-bound high-speed train and a church in the Paris area.