Worshippers at a south Manchester mosque hit by arsonists say they were moved to tears after dozens turned out in solidarity at a vigil.
A fire was started at the doors to Didsbury Mosque at around midnight on Friday night.
It is being treated as a hate crime.
Two men who were passing threw their coats on the fire and tried their best to put it out.
Two women living nearby rang the emergency services.
READ MORE: Police launch investigation after Didsbury Mosque targeted in arson attack
Fire crews arrived within minutes and extinguished the fire, which was prevented from spreading.
Fortunately, no one was hurt.
The attack has been condemned by council chiefs and police - who say 'hate crime will not be tolerated'.
This evening (Saturday), dozens of people gathered for a vigil outside the mosque at the junction of Barlow Moor Road and Burton Road - to send a message that the area would not be divided.
Mosque leaders thanked the four Good Samaritans for stepping in.
Paying tribute to them in a speech on the steps of the mosque, chair trustees Fawzi Haffar, said they 'saved the building for the community'.
He said he wants to track them down so he can say thank you.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News , he added said: "Without a doubt, they saved it.
"This is an old building and the door is wooden. If they hadn't done what they did, this could have been so much worse."
Mr Haffar said he was left 'wanting to cry' after more than 100 people gathered outside the mosque for the impromptu event organised by Greater Manchester Stand Up to Racism.
"It was very overwhelming," he added.
"To have so many people here at such short notice was so heartwarming to see.
"When some of them were speaking, I was very emotional and felt like I wanted to cry.
"It just shows there are so many good people out there.
"The person who did this was an evil person with a twisted idea.
"But they are the minority."
He added: "Manchester is my city.
"I am proud of it and today shows what this city is all about."
Worshipper Akib Abdel-Khalik, 28, who lives in Fallowfield, said: "I moved here two-years-ago when I got married.
"This mosque has made me feel part of this community.
"I lost my father last year and were it not for this place, I think I would have been even more depressed.
"The things this mosque does for the local community are amazing.
"I was really shocked when I heard what had happened.
"Then I was really upset and I thought 'how could someone do this?'.
"I came out from praying and saw over 100 people stood there. It was so nice to see.
"Beautiful to see."
There were speeches from anti-racism campaigners, local councillors. residents and mosque leaders before tea, biscuits and chocolate were offered around.
Didsbury ward councillor Greg Stanton said: "I was shocked and upset by what happened.
"Because of the date and the anniversary we are marking today.
"And because this isn't the first time the mosque has been targeted in this way.
"That does not represent Didsbury.
"This mosque does so much. It cooked for and fed elderly people during lockdown.
"It has a homeless drop-in service.
"They utterly embrace the Didsbury community which is why it was so important to come and show solidarity."
"I take this very seriously," he added.
"I will be speaking to the local police and making clear that we want it treated extremely seriously as I have seen the damage. That is something that was planned beforehand.
"It was not something planned in the spur of the moment."
Scorch marks were visible on the door.
GMP said no arrests had yet been made, but that they had seized CCTV and items from the scene as part of their enquiries.
