SPECIAL prayers will be held today at mosques across Oxford in remembrance of the former Pakistani prime minister.

Mosques in Cowley Road, Manzil Way and Iffley Road will hold the services following their afternoon prayer sessions.

Ms Bhutto was assassinated in a suspected al Qaida attack as she left an election rally yesterday, throwing the country into turmoil.

She was shot in the neck and body by suicide bombers who then blew themselves up as she was driven from the rally in the city of Rawalpindi.

Ms Bhutto made history at Oxford University when, in 1976, she was elected the Oxford Union's first woman president.

Taj Hargey, chairman of the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford (Meco), said: "Meco condemns the tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistani opposition leader."

Meco will pay respects to her at the weekly Friday prayers at 1pm in Summertown Hall, Banbury Road, North Oxford.

Mr Hargey said: "Everyone is welcome to attend."