MOSQUES from across the area have come together to discuss what the community can do to prevent terrorism.

They were joined yesterday by guests including Labour parliamentary candidate for Bolton South East Yasmin Qureshi to debate how residents could tackle extremism.

The event was hosted at the Step Community Centre in Daubhill by Dr Zahid Iqbal and Khadijah Atkinson from the Peace Education Programme.

The pair gave a presentation and discussion on issues including the media, Islamophobia and Government foreign policy.

As part of a presentation, Dr Iqbal said it was important to understand exactly what it was that extremists believed in.

He said: “This is to do with different groups having different ideological characteristics that all combine.

“Islamism combines with religious conservatism, which can lead to Jihadism and gives rise to violent extremism.

“Not only do we have the ideology, we have a narrative — a back story. We must understand these groups, what their narrative is and what they are teaching our young people.

“They are teaching that the west is at war with Islam, that there are two sides to this war, Muslims against non-Muslims.

“They say that if you’re not with the Muslims then you are against them. You can see the black and white thinking there.

“Whether it’s Anjem Choudary, whether it is the leader of Al Qaeda, they all believe in these narratives.”

One mother spoke about how she thought extremism was not a religious problem.

She said: “I think it is wrong that I have to justify my religion to others. I think it is ludicrous.

“Of course I am against extremism and murdering innocent people.

“I just find it offensive that I have to justify and say that I am against extremism.

“We should be asking everyone that question. Why is it just the responsibility and the duty of Muslims to prevent extremism?”

For more information on the Peace Education Programme, go to peaceeducationprogramme.co.uk