As a Muslim should I be allowed to post a picture of myself with an imitation gun with a caption 'Just got to ISIS open day…'

But I kind of think I shouldn’t. Even if it is a joke.

This week one family found themselves in hot water for posting a photograph on Facebook with the caption "ISIS training day, look how happy we look."

Brothers Baasit, Raza and Umar Siddiqui who appear in the TV show Gogglebox were snapped wearing camouflage to go paintballing. The image though, was reported to police.

Baasit has now apologised, writing on Twitter, "The image on Facebook was meant to be light-hearted but was clearly a joke that was misjudged."

But why on earth were police involved in this? Are we really getting so paranoid about something that is quite clearly a joke?

There are far more offensive comments and pictures being uploaded on a daily basis than this.

You only have to scroll through some of the nasty, vile comments people make on news websites and on social media in general.

So what makes any ISIS comment so dangerous?

Following this recent complaint, Derbyshire Police said they ‘examined the photograph and are satisfied that the caption was not intended to be taken seriously, and there was no link to terrorism whatsoever.'

Derbyshire Police said, "We will be offering suitable words of advice to those who uploaded it. However, no offences have been committed and there will be no further police action."

Should I now think twice saying anything ISIS related? We all know that somethings are best left unsaid but who or what is drawing the line?

May I get a call from the police asking me to be a little more careful of what I can speak of? And at what point is it illegal to say something with the word terror alongside?

To be honest I am not entirely sure. And neither are most Muslims. We haven’t got a clue so we air on the side of caution.

The problem with groups like ISIS is that they are not lampooned enough – especially by Muslims. Some I can sense fear not being able to say exactly what is on their mind because they may well become guilty by association.

There is no doubt a darker side to all evil acts. But throughout history such groups have been the butt of jokes and will continue to be.

I agree that some monstrous acts should not be joked about whatsoever. And there is a difference between a bad joke and bad taste.

But the sooner we as Muslims are able to get rid of this mind-set that we shouldn’t talk about ‘certain things’ because it might be taken the wrong way then the more likely we are to face the reality of extremism.

I know many people who will joke about ISIS / Daesh amongst themselves but are careful that the comments are not heard by non-Muslims.

We are so paranoid that these comments might be misconstrued and we will find ourselves on the pages of some right-wing website or Facebook page with our faces superimposed on Osama Bin Laden’s body.

It is a paranoia that will strike fear into a whole generation of young Muslims.

The point is, some things are quite clearly a joke and whilst the Siddiquis apologised, should they really have to?