Britain's top Muslims united last night to condemn the suicide bombings in London.

Twenty-two leaders and scholars from across Britain gathered at the Islamic Cultural Centre in central London for the unprecedented meeting.

Moulana Shahid Raza, head Imam at Leicester Central Mosque, read out a statement from all those present.

It said: ''The tragedy of July 7 demands that all of us, both in public life and in civil and religious society, confront together the problems of Islamophobia, racism, unemployment, economic deprivation and social exclusion - factors that may be alienating some of our children and driving them towards the path of anger and desperation.

"Islam prohibits both anger and desperation. Anger and desperation are haram (forbidden) and may lead to some people being targeted by people with a sinister and violent agenda.

"There is, therefore, a great deal of positive work to be done with everyone in our own and wider community in order to channel the energy and talent of our youth, particularly into constructive avenues, serving God and society for the common good."

The statement branded the bombings "utterly criminal, totally reprehensible, and absolutely un-Islamic".

It added: ''There can never be any excuse for taking an innocent life. The Koran clearly declares that killing an innocent person was tantamount to killing all mankind and likewise saving a single life was as if one had saved the life of all mankind. This is both a principle and a command.

"It is our understanding that those who carried out the bombings in London should in no sense be regarded as martyrs.

"The pursuit of justice for the victims of last week's attacks is an obligation under the faith of Islam."

Mr Raza added: "Any Muslim youth, any Muslim man or woman going anywhere targeting civilians anywhere by suicide bombing is haram."

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair urged Muslims to "seize the moment" to engage actively in counter-terrorism.

He visited a mosque in east London and told worshippers: "We must seize this moment, this weekend, next week.

"We have to seize a moment in which the Muslim community in Britain changes from your position of shock and disbelief into active engagement in counter-terrorism.

"This attack was not on some host community, it was on all humanity."

The Government has announced plans to create a criminal offence covering providing or receiving training in the use of hazardous substances in the UK or abroad, "acts preparatory to terrorism" and inciting terrorism indirectly. Indirect incitement would include public and private statements.

The first funeral for the victims of the attacks - for Shahara Islam, 20, from Plaistow, east London -was held yesterday.

Her family said: "Today, our dear daughter, cause of our joy and light of our eyes - our Shahara - is returning to her Lord, an innocent and blood-stained martyr. She was an East Ender, a Londoner and British, but above all, a true Muslim and proud to be so."

An Islamic bookshop was the latest property in Leeds to be raided by police. Officers sealed off the Iqra learning centre in the Beeston area, near bomber Shehzad Tanweer's home.

Earlier, Muslim academic Razaq Raj said three of the London bombers -Shehzad Tanweer, Hasib Hussain and Mohammad Sidique Khan -had been banned from mosques in the Beeston area.