The ideology which drives Islamic extremists has significant support from Muslims around the world, Tony Blair has warned.

The former prime minister said that unless religious prejudice in Muslim communities is rooted out, the threat from the extremists will not be defeated.

Speaking at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York, Mr Blair said that while the numbers who engage in violence through groups like Islamic State are relatively small, many of their views are widely shared.

"The conspiracy theories which illuminate much of the jihadi writings have significant support even amongst parts of the mainstream population of some Muslim countries," he said.

"There are millions of school children every day in countries round the world - not just in the Middle East - who are taught a view of the world and of their religion which is narrow-minded, prejudicial and therefore in the context of a globalised world, dangerous."

Mr Blair acknowledged that attacking ideas which resonate in parts of mainstream Muslim society could appear to be an attack on Muslims rather than just extremists, but he said such concerns have to be overcome.

"If large numbers of people really do believe that the desire of the USA or the West is to disrespect or oppress Islam, then it is not surprising that some find recourse to violence acceptable in order to re-assert the 'dignity' of the oppressed," he said.

"If young people are educated that Jews are evil or that anyone who holds a different view of religion is an enemy, it is obvious that this prejudice will give rise, in certain circumstances, to action in accordance with it.

"The reality is that in parts of the Muslim community a discourse has grown up which is profoundly hostile to peaceful co-existence. Countering this is an essential part of fighting extremism."

Mr Blair did say that murders in the name of Islam had nothing to do with Islamic teachings, "Let us say immediately that this violence no more represents the true spirit of Islam than atrocities executed in the name of Christianity in days gone by, represented true Christian faith.

"The majority of Muslims detest this extremism and are the main victims of it. It is correct also to say that there are 'Christian' terrorists such as the murderer in Norway and 'Jewish' terrorists, as Israel's Government called those who burnt alive the Palestinian family, who will perpetrate isolated but still horrible acts of violence."

He went on to say the the majority of Muslims support democracy and equal rights for women.

"Though there is widespread support for Sharia law, there is a big difference between people as to how it should be applied, with more preferring a liberal and modern interpretation.

"We don't face a clash of civilisations or of faiths; but a pernicious and false ideology which is a denial of civilisation and a perversion and not an expression of faith. The challenge is from within Islam. The solution is also from within Islam."