A SYRIAN has condemned Monday’s terrorist attack as he encouraged other refugees to join him in donating blood to show solidarity with those affected.

Mouhyedin Alkalel, who settled in Darlington after fleeing his war torn country just months ago, spoke out to condemn the attack which claimed 22 lives and injured 59 other people.

As people rushed to blood donation clinics across Manchester in the hope of helping victims, Mr Alkalel backed calls for those further afield to help others by donating blood in a show of solidarity.

The 24-year-old said: “As a Muslim from Syria, I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack that took place in Manchester.

“I wish God to give the families of the victims patience and strength to bear the loss of their families and I hope God heals the injured.

“My heart is with all the families of the victims and the injured, my prayers are for all of you.

“I hope that peace and security prevails over the United Kingdom, Syria and all countries of the world.”

He added: “This is a message from my heart and I hope to do anything I can to help the families of the victims and those injured.

“I will go tomorrow to donate blood in solidarity with them and I will ask all of the young Syrians I know to come with me.

“I want everyone to know that Muslims are not terrorists and that these terrorists are not Muslim – in Syria, more Muslims are killed than any other religion.”

Mr Alkalel’s comments echo those of Hartlepool’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community, which issued a statement on Tuesday expressing condolences and deep shock.

Tahir Selby, Imam of the Nasir Mosque in Hartlepool, said: “Whilst supposed Muslims are claiming responsibility for this, I want to re-emphasise that this has nothing to do with Islam or religion.

“It is a barbaric attack by cowards using religion to do evil things.”