With the amount dedicated to Islam in the mainstream media you might be led many to believe that there are actually only 3.7 million Muslims in this country.

There has been a constant barrage of ‘Muslim stories’ in the past year and each has its own sub-plot.

One overriding factor though has been the belief that extremism and fundamentalism is in some way encroaching upon the British way of life.

Much of this is obviously portrayed to suit specific agendas.

The focus seems to be on linking extremist views to violent extremism. One may well be extreme in one’s views but does that mean you would carry out a terrorist attack?

If you are holding particular views about the British government does that mean at some point you will become a mass murderer?

There has to be real differentiation between those who seem ‘extreme’ in their views and those who are in fact ‘violent extremist’.

The problem is in the mainstream media this is quickly becoming a blur.

Take for example some British mosques. I am sorry to say but in these mosques children are taught by some educated teachers that particular things are haram (forbidden).

For instance ‘Don’t’ celebrate Christmas’, ‘Easter is Haram’, Fireworks night is haram’ and ‘you shouldn’t sing hymns at school’ This, I’m afraid to say is being taught to 6-7 year old children. I personally have spoken to parents who are concerned when their children come home and state that their teachers are telling them some of these things.

These would be a concern to some Muslims but would they in some way make their mosque teachers extremist? To a non-Muslim this would almost certainly be evidence of a level of extremism that calls for strict action.

I wouldn’t really disagree entirely but these very same teachers would also teach that violence against any living thing is haram. They will also teach that any form of violent act in the name of Islam is prohibited.

They would also call for respect of your neighbours regardless of their religion.

So how would the authorities deal with such incidents? Ideally being British would mean you did both.

But it doesn’t exactly work like this.

Privately, we also have incidents where Muslims will make extremist remarks. But are we now going to judge these too?

Are we to also judge all Christians and Jews for remarks they make in private? Or is the level of ‘violent extremism’ really only a threat when it comes from Muslims?

What we have come to realise is that in specific Islamic madressas there are people who will want to share their beliefs. But are these then encouraging extremism?

I have argued long about how even minor attitudes can have an effect on how Muslims are perceived.

In recent years due in large parts to irresponsible reporting and ill-judged government policies the line between extremism and violent extremism has almost disappeared.

News stories written on extremism will be linked to violent acts carried out in the name of religion in other parts of the world.

You also have incidents where so-called ‘moderate’ Muslims are being thrown into the same group as more radical Muslims.

You see this most notably when a national Muslim issue hits the headlines. On the one side you have Muslims who will see any attack on Islam as Islamophobia and on the other you find people being overtly critical of their religion.

We, the media will take the views that best suits our own.