AT first it seemed like a normal prayer service at the Easton Jamia Masjid mosque.

The Islamic men of the area knelt in devout rows – the muttered prayers barely audible, but the message clearly both instinctive and heart-felt.

Then with a final flourish the prayers ended in unison, and as the men and boys rose to their feet, the doors of the St Mark's Road mosque were opened.

But for once, it was not a signal for everyone to go home. Yesterday the community was joined by many unfamiliar faces.

People of all faiths gathered at the mosque yesterday afternoon, to hold a modest, but poignant vigil in memory of the victims of Anders Breivik – the far-right extremist who killed 77 Norwegians in the twin attacks on Oslo and Utoya Island on July 22.

The event was the brainchild of Bedminster Quaker Maureen Armstrong, of the Bristol Interfaith group, who led a three-minute silence in memory of those killed, after quoting 17th century Bristol Quaker William Penn: "The humble, meek, merciful, just, pious, and devout souls are everywhere of one religion."

She added: "I'm so glad this day has happened. For evil to prosper all that is necessary is for good people to do nothing, and here we have today many good people who are set on bringing our communities closer together."

Arif Khan, chairman of the Council of Bristol Mosques, said the occasion gave out an important symbolic message.

He said: "Like all good people, we were devastated when we heard about the horrendous things that had happened in Norway.

"We were particularly upset that early reports speculated that Islamic extremists were to blame – it is saddening that for some of the media, this has become a default position.

"We hope events like today's interfaith service will help to bring communities together in their shared faiths, and help to remove that kind of stigmatisation of Islamic communities."

The service was led by Abdul Malik, the community's representative on the Bristol Interfaith group, and featured a short talk by Aftab Malik, who works on behalf of the United Nations to increase harmony and understanding between Muslims and people of other faiths.

Aftab Malik said: "Breivik ultimately aimed to sow the seeds of hate between Muslims and people of other faiths.

"But human imperfection is not a monopoly given to people of any one race or religion. It exists everywhere.

"The Koran teaches us that God deliberately created a world of diversity. Contrary to the popular myth, rather than producing a clash of civilisations, Islam provides a paradigm for diversity."

He added: "We believe, taking one life unjustly is as if you have killed all humanity.

"The message is simple, we are all members of the human race, and human life is sacred."

Local businessman Abdul Malik, who formerly represented the Easton ward on Bristol City Council, told the congregation: "It was an attack on humanity.

"The threat of this type of inhumane violence has no place in society.

"We gather to condemn the action of Breivik, and to reflect on how one human's actions can affect thousands of people around the world.

"We also hope to build a bridge on our insecurities, and to pray for those who lost their lives in these horrendous attacks."

He added: "Our message to the people of Norway is simple: we feel your pain."