Demonstrations over Islamic centre held in New York

Some of the families said the argument between both sides was disrespectful of their families’ loss.

But others said that “now was the time to speak out” against the planned Islamic centre.

Earlier, the pastor behind the threat to burn Korans in Florida said the event had been cancelled permanently.

“We will definitely not burn the Koran, no,” the Reverend Terry Jones told NBC’s Today show. “Not today, not ever.”

Earlier, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg addressed the mourners.

“No other public tragedy has cut our city so deeply, no other place is as filled with our compassion, our love and our solidarity,” he said.

Speaking at a memorial event at the Pentagon, also hit by a hijacked plane on 9/11, President Obama paid tribute to those who died.

He said that while it was tempting to dwell on their final moments, the memorial events were taking place “to remember the fullness of their time on Earth”.

Mr Obama also repeated his recent calls for unity, saying: “It was not a religion that attacked us that September day. It was al-Qaeda.”

“We will not sacrifice the liberties we cherish or hunker down behind walls of suspicion and mistrust.”

Prominent New York Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is at the head of a group who plan to turn an abandoned factory building into a community centre and prayer space.

They say the centre will include facilities for all religions and be a place for reconciliation between faiths.