Many people in Liverpool have been praying for Mr Bigley's release

The Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, and Akbar Ali, Liverpool Mosque chairman, said the "terrorists" have no right to "use the name of God".

They also said "taking hostages and murdering them is completely and utterly un-Islamic".

The faith leaders said they hope the crisis does not affect the relations between communities in Liverpool.

Mr Bigley is being held by a group claiming to be from Tawhid and Jihad which is led by al-Qaeda suspect Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Two Americans taken hostage along with Mr Bigley have been beheaded, according an Islamist website.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday Mr Ali - also chair of Liverpool's Islamic Institute - said the hostage-takers can only be described as "terrorists".

The vast majority of Muslims do want to live peacefully James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool

"These men have no right to use the name of Islam or say 'we're doing it in the name of God'," he said.

Bishop Jones said they are aiming to ensure people understand that the men are acting alone and do not represent the Islamic faith.

"This is why it is so important for me and Akbar to release this statement together," he said.

"And for people to have heard categorically now from Akbar, his condemnation of this sort of violence.

"What it shows is that the vast majority of Muslims do want to live peacefully, and it shows that myself and Akbar stand together in solidarity in our attitudes to the situation."

'Very sad'

He said it was also important for the two of them to stress how different religious faiths can work together.

"[This is vital] because the future stability of the world and the future stability in local communities depends on it," added Bishop Jones.

Mr Ali said he hoped that the crisis does not have a negative impact on relations in Liverpool.

"We have worked together for so long and built such a good relationship between the Christians and Muslims and of course others as well, that I feel very sad that these actions which are taking place thousands of miles away should really affect our relationship," he said.

He added there have been "no visible signs" relations have so far been affected.