Preston mosques have released a joint statement condemning the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

Ms Abu Akleh, 51, was a household name across the Arab world, revered for her coverage of Palestinian life under Israeli rule for the Al Jazeera satellite channel for the last 25 years.

She was shot dead on Wednesday during an Israeli military raid in the West Bank town of Jenin.

Anger at Ms Abu Akleh’s killing escalated on Friday after Israeli riot police pushed and beat pallbearers, causing them to briefly drop her casket in a shocking start to her funeral procession in Jerusalem.

The statement from Preston mosques read: "A brave, intelligent and just journalist by the name of Shireen Abu Akleh was murdered in cold blood by Israeli forces in Jenin, occupied West Bank this week.

"Shireen bravely covered the Palestinian suffering at the hands of the Israeli occupiers for nearly 25 years as an Al Jazeera journalist.  Shireen was a Palestinian who had American citizenship but lived in East Jerusalem to cover stories related to her beloved Palestine.

"Shireen Abu Akleh was a Palestinian Christian, however as Muslims we mourn her loss, we grieve for her family and we will forever be grateful for her service to the Palestinian people.

"As such, the Mosques of Preston, honour her memory, her dignity and above all her integrity, bravery and professionalism in carry out her job as a journalist."

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Ismail Timol, Committee Member of Masjid e Saliheen said: "The killing of Shireen is absolutely unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest manner. 

"Furthermore the horrific attacks on the funeral procession goes to show the true ugly face of the Israeli occupation of Palestine."