THE horrific bombings in London are a wake-up call for all of us - in particular Britain's 1.6m Muslims.

We cannot allow the heinous acts of a few individuals to stereotype all British Muslims as extremists.

If this happens, then the terrorists will have succeeded in part of their aims.

British Muslims joined the rest of society to express revulsion, anger, and distress at the loss of innocent lives.

Britain has resolved not to be beaten by a few extremists. But condemnation is not enough.

Moderate British Muslims have to take an active role in combating extremism and will have to confront the small minority who preach evil, hatred, intolerance and discrimination.

The attacks were not anything to do with Islam, but were done in the name of Islam. That puts the responsibility on all of us.

There's nothing wrong with being a fundamentalist Muslim, Jew or Christian. The key issue is the slide into extremism.

This is the worst nightmare that can happen to the British Muslim community. It is not the police or intelligence services that will defeat terrorism, but communities.

For too long extremists have been allowed to promote their views unhindered because Muslims have demonstrated their belief in British values of tolerance and freedom of expression.

While these democratic virtues are our strength, the time has come to be less tolerant towards any form of extremism, including the views of far-Right extremists.

This cancerous growth of extremism has used international conflicts to justify their wicked ideology. Recent international conflicts revolve around political issues and not about setting off one religion against another.

If religion was the issue, then why did most of the world community condemn the invasion of Iraq?

A mature debate on political and social issues that affect young Muslims is needed.

Otherwise the fanatics will use simple messages and blame issues such as poverty, unemployment, exclusion and international conflicts as an attack of the establishment on Muslims and Islam.

Simple messages appeal to young, impressionable minds.

Being moderate is a strength, not a weakness. The challenge is to tackle head-on the views of a few extremists and to cut out their cancerous growth.

These extremists prey on our impressionable young people and their oxygen has to be cut off.

Half of British Muslims are below 25 and this, in itself, represents further complications and challenges for community leaders, local community groups and faith networks, who are often seen as out of touch and not representing the views of young Muslims.

Huddersfield's Muslim community is moderate in its outlook and has a strong sense of belonging to our town.

Two years ago consultants undertook a study of community cohesion in Kirklees. The report said that in Birkby ward there are extremely positive relations between Asian and white people.

I believe this study reflects the positive community relations in Huddersfield as a whole.

People who visit Huddersfield have often commented on this.

One of my fears is that the actions of a handful of terrorists could undermine community relations in our town. This would be a victory for evil, but I am confident that local people will come through this ordeal stronger and more united.

Our resolve to work together should now be greater than ever. Together we can make Huddersfield and Britain a safer and better place for all its citizens.

For many years the people of Huddersfield have been aware that extremists may try to establish themselves in our town.

Some groups continue to tackle the far Right and in 2002 Muslim groups and community leaders successfully defeated Islamic extremists' attempts to set up a local base.

Local mosques and imams are determined to engage with the young Muslims in their communities.

I have seen this happening in parts of Huddersfield where the true form of Islam - a word that literally means peace - is preached and political and social issues are debated in a way that espouses the values of freedom and tolerance.

I strongly urge local people to visit a mosque to find out for themselves.

In other parts of Britain challenging extremism will be a difficult and complex task and will need courage and convictions of tolerance, freedom and inclusion.

The Muslim community has to take on this considerable new duty and will need support and encouragement from the institutions of central and local government to succeed in fighting extremism.

A new consensus is required and the backing of all British citizens will be essential.

People of all backgrounds, races and religious beliefs should stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow citizens on this campaign to stamp out all forms of extremism.

Moderate Muslims must double their efforts to connect with young Muslims in schools, colleges, universities, the workplace and mosques in a mature debate about their concerns and apprehensions.

Everyone should inspire them to become responsible citizens engaged in a tolerant, diverse society based on democratic values.

If we fail to reach out to young people and listen and act on their concerns, then extremists will fill the gap with their tyranny, discrimination and evil. There is a lesson not just for Muslims, but in recent years far-Right groups have poisoned the minds of young white people with a hatred of minorities.

The efforts to tackle this evil ideology also have to be accelerated.