THE chairman of two Newport mosques joined others today in condemning yesterday's attack in Woolwich.

Manzoor Ahmed, chairman of the interim committee of Newport's Jamia Mosque and Harrow Road Mosque, said they are to organise a fundraising walk in the wake of the attacks to raise money for either the armed forces or the dead soldier's family.

He was joined by Cllr Miqdad Al-Nuaimi, who is originally from Iraq but has lived in the UK since the 1960s, and AM Mohammad Asghar in expressing their dismay at the incident.

"We totally condemn this type of extremism," Mr Ahmed told the Argus.

"We are actively working to educate our Muslim community to work and live together as a multi-cultural society and promote our country, the UK, as a peaceful place to live.

"In order to condemn the events of Woolwich we will be holding a mother and children's walk in June."

He said the walk, which is likely to take place on June 23, will raise money for either the forces or the dead soldier's family.

Newport councillor Miqdad Al-Nuaimi, who was brought up in Iraq, said it was good that people in Muslim communities have condemned the act and said how barbaric it was.

Cllr Al-Nuaimi questioned the justification for the attack that British soliders have killed people in Afghanistan and Iraq, saying it "rings hollow".

"Muslims die at the hands of other Muslims. There's terrorism in Iraq and in Syria," he said.

"That kind of ideology has no regard for the sanctity of human life, they feel they can spill blood. I think we have to speak against it."

"I was brought up as a Muslim in my early childhood. My family who are religious have no place or consideration for anything like that.

"They are ordinary people whose faith tells them to respect human life."

"I feel a little bit frustrated. People are using faith... to justify barbaric actions."

"They are not Muslims really. I would call them Islamists which they use as a justification for their horrific acts which they have no value to the people they supposedly represent."

Newport-based Tory South East Wales AM Mohammad Asghar tweeted his "sincerest condolences to the brave soldier" and his family.

He said he was "utterly disgusted to see and hear what happened in Woolwich".

"I can truly say this is NOT at all what Islam is about. It's terrible," he added (sic).

Newport East MP Jessica Morden said: "This is a senseless act which has shocked us all. Our thoughts are with the family."