Millennium Square was filled by city centre workers

Those in Millennium Square heard city council leader Mark Harris talk of the "extra trauma" the city had suffered by its connection with the attacks.

Mr Harris was joined by representatives of faith groups in the city.

Iraqi women in the crowd carried a placard saying "Islam is against suicide bombing".

Another placard said: "Islam does not permit murder".

Suicide bombers

Zainab Al-Hariri, who has lived in Leeds for 11 years, said she had brought along placards denouncing the bombers to highlight that true Muslims would not support what had taken place.

"These bombers just use the same excuses that you see with the suicide bombers day after day in Iraq. And who dies? The children and the innocent. Nothing they can say makes it right.

"This is a very peaceful city and people have always been very warm to me and my family. I think people here are going to remain united."

Millennium Square was filled with city centre workers who arrived for the short service which led up to the silence at noon.

The placards denounced the bombings

"The only people responsible for what happened were the perpetrators themselves." Mr Harris said.

He added that Leeds was a "warm and welcoming" city with no history of extremism.

Rabbi Ian Morris said: "This week has brought us face-to-face with the murderous evil in our midst."

His appeal for tolerance was echoed by the Imam at Leeds University, Hassan Al-Katib, and the city's Roman Catholic and Anglican bishops, Arthur Roche and John Packer.

After the silence many people queued to sign a book of condolence.