They said in a joint statement that they were deeply saddened by the death of lawyer Lo Hwei Yen, 28, who was killed after being taken hostage there.

Referring to the series of attacks on two hotels, a cafe, a Jewish centre, a train station and other locations, they said: 'Such heinous actions contravene Islam's strong prohibition against harming or killing innocent people.'

They said the attack on a Jewish centre and killing of a rabbi 'violates Islamic tenets that specifically protect places of worship and their religious leaders'.

The groups are the Association of Muslim Professionals, the Fellowship of Muslim Students' Association, Malay Youth Literary Association, the Muslim Converts' Association of Singapore, Perdaus (the Adult Religious Students Association), welfare body Pertapis, the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday Memorial Scholarship Fund Board, the Islamic Religious Scholars and Religious Teachers' Association and the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

They extended condolences to families of all victims and hoped that those responsible would be brought to justice.

'We urge fellow Singaporeans, regardless of race or religion, to remain vigilant to the threat of terrorism, actively promote efforts to combat extremist ideas from wherever they originate and, most importantly, continue to strengthen our ties at all levels of society,' they said.

The statement echoed the sentiments of Islamic Religious Council of Singapore president Alami Musa, who went to Ms Lo's wake on Monday.

He said: 'Singaporeans of all beliefs should band together to build further upon the strong social cohesion we've collectively nurtured and enjoyed over the years, and to guard against those who aim to sow disharmony.'

Among those at the wake yesterday were President S R Nathan and his wife, and Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

They spent time with Ms Lo's husband, corporate counsel Michael Puhaindran, and their parents.

Mr Nathan told The Straits Times: 'It's a tragic event for an innocent life to be lost in this way.'

Thousands of condolence messages have been posted online.

Foreign Minister George Yeo was among those who penned his thoughts online after attending the wake on Monday, describing how helpless those at his ministry felt about the tragedy.

'Our hearts go out to Michael and the family. All of us feel both sadness and anger,' he wrote.

He added that people in Singapore should draw strength from Ms Lo's sacrifice and in grieving, renew the determination to fight terrorism and cherish racial and religious harmony.

Ms Lo's funeral will be held tomorrow.

joolin@sph.com.sg

Additional reporting by Kimberly Spykerman and Judith Tan

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