Muslims in Liverpool, the home city of the British hostage threatened with beheading in Iraq, Mr Ken Bigley, today joined in prayers for him and his family.
More than 400 people prayed for Mr Bigley during Friday worship at the Mosque of Mercy, in Toxteth. Chief Imam Sheik Sadek said: "Islam completely forbids that any innocent individual should be targeted, bombed, harmed, oppressed, taken captive, tortured or killed.
"We can only hope that those who are responsible for resolving the current situation make the right decision and we must all pray together for the best possible outcome for the fate of Mr Bigley, his family and not to forget the Iraqis who are losing their lives daily in this trying and destructive situation."
The show of solidarity between the two communities shows the strength of feeling in Britain over the kidnapping and will undoubtedly taint the annual Labour Party Conference due to take place this weekend.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has ruled out any negotiations with terrorists, in line with the stance of coalition partners, but is coming under increasing criticism for his refusal to do so.
Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond today pledged to hound Mr Blair from office, claiming that his conduct on Iraq had put him "beyond the pale of decency".
Mr Salmond made the pledge at the SNP's annual conference in Inverness, where he accused the Prime Minister of entering into a secret pact with US President George Bush "to go to war come what may".
Mr Salmond, whose party - along with Plaid Cymru - has launched moves to impeach Mr Blair, told the conference: "This Prime Minister must be drummed from office and we will use each and every opportunity to make that a reality." He said the Prime Minister needed to be "humbled" in an election, and the SNP would next year take its case to the country.