Tory attacks on mainstream Muslim organisations are unfounded. Far from promoting separatism or sharia law, organisations such as the Muslim Council of Britain have worked hard to engage the Muslim community with the British political process.

It is telling that while David Cameron attacked both multiculturalism and immigration as causes of division, he had nothing to say about the rising racism that British Muslims have to confront. In comparing Muslim organisations to the fascist British National Party he risks legitimising an organisation that really is committed to separation and division.

Misrepresenting Muslims in this way will do nothing to promote community cohesion or to tackle the terrorist threat.

Ruqayyah Collector NUS black students officer

Letter in the Guardian, 1 February 2007

See also the letter from Aliyyah Balson.