The Parker Street Mosque in Burton marked the start of the holy month of Ramadan by paying tribute to those killed in the bomb attack on Manchester.

Manchester Arena was targeted by suicide bomber Salman Abedi who detonated a bomb on Monday evening, May 22, leading to the deaths of 22 people, including children, and injuring a further 120, with many still in a critical condition this week.

The attack took place after a concert by American singer, Ariana Grande, as crowds left the arena at the end of the evening.

And the Muslim community in Burton is eager to explain that people like Abedi are not part of their religion. "We do not condone it, they are not part of this religion", was the message from Imam Ghazali who led the Friday afternoon prayer service at the Burton mosque.

One of many who attended the special prayer service was Faizul Hassam, 24 from Burto, who said of the Manchester attacks: "It shook me down to my bones, there is no place for it in any religion. These people are doing it in the name of our religion, but they are fake. They're not real people.

Faizul Hassam felt "shaken to his bones" at the news of the Manchester attack
Faizul Hassam felt "shaken to his bones" at the news of the Manchester attack

"I find it offensive when they do it in the name of Muslim. We know they're not part of us; they have hidden agendas. Their hearts are full of hatred."

It was a message that was mirrored by Imam Ghazali, the leader of Parker Street mosque, as he spoke to the congregation and said: "The incident that happened in Manchester, we all condemn it.

"Whether it happens in the UK or throughout the world, it doesn't matter. Terrorism, terrorists do not have a religion. These people are not Muslim, they are not Christian, none of them.

"They do not have any religion. They are totally terrorist. These people who kill innocent people; they deserve to be sent into the hell fire."

Imam Ghazali was speaking at the mosque's regular Friday service to mark the beginning of Ramadan, a month of daylight fasting which starts at 6pm today, Friday, May 26, running until Saturday, June 24.

Ramadan is the most important month of the Muslim calendar and is the time where Muslims across the world fast from dawn until sunset.

Imam Ghazali speaks at the Parker Street mosque about the Manchester attack
Imam Ghazali speaks at the Parker Street mosque about the Manchester attack

During this month, despite being in the hotter months of the year, Muslims cannot eat or drink until sunset, but Mohammed Naim, 36 from Burton said that it was not as difficult as it seemed.

He said: "Even though sometimes it's really warm, it's never difficult, there's no temptation because we know what we are doing this for, there is meaning in it for each of us, sometimes different meanings."

Ramadan holds different meaning for all who participate in it. Faizul Hassam said: "It's all about togetherness. The whole community, everyone coming together just showing love to one another.

"It's about getting together and showing love to the community, whether you're Muslim or not, just getting together at the end of the day and sitting down to eat together.

"We can abstain from food all day, but if you're not doing anything productive and good in that day then your fast has gone to waste. Because it's not just about staying away from food. Anyone can do that. That's the easy bit. The hard bit is trying to perfect yourself and make those around you better people."

Mohammad Naim tells about how he believes Ramadan is about improving health
Mohammad Naim tells about how he believes Ramadan is about improving health

Members of the Parker Street Mosque said that they will continue to pray for those involved in the Manchester attacks over the weekend and into the future and have invited people who would like to join them to simply turn up.

There will also be prayers for the Manchester victims held at various churches across the Burton area, including Stapenhill Holy Rosary, St Peter's and St Paul's in Swadlincote and St Paul's in Burton town centre during their regular services over the weekend.