'I'm proud I'm a Mackem. Proud I'm English.'
A faith leader has said some members of the Muslim community were left terrified and did not want to leave their homes after a night of unrest in the city.
Rioters in Sunderland attacked police officers, damaged buildings and targeted mosques on Friday in an outbreak of violence following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport.
Zaf Iqbal and three other people locked themselves inside Masjid E Anwaar E Madinah mosque on St Mark's Road for safety.
Mr Iqbal, who co-chairs the Sunderland Inter Faith Forum, said: "You have a mob attacking a building, which is a place of worship.
"I'm born and bred in Sunderland. I've lived my life here. I'm proud of the fact I'm a Mackem. Proud I'm English."
Two men and a woman involved in rioting in Sunderland on Friday have pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
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