Muslim voters are being urged to press General Election candidates to commit to combating Islamophobia and rebuilding trust with communities when tackling terrorism.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) - an umbrella body representing a wide range of Muslim organisations - has drawn up a list of key commitments which they suggest Muslim voters may wish seek from would-be MPs.

They include "meaningful action" to combat Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and all forms of racism, upholding civil liberties when tackling terrorism and crime, and developing an "inclusive" national curriculum which fully reflects Britain's diversity.

It also suggests that Muslim voters should press for the "binding recognition" of Palestine as an independent state while accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "racism".

With all the opinion polls pointing to an extremely tight contest, the MCB estimates that there are more than 40 constituencies where the votes of Muslims "can make a difference" to the outcome.

In a guide to the election entitled Fairness, Not Favours, the MCB highlights the impact that Islamist extremism has had on Muslim communities.

"For many Muslims, religion - and not ethnicity - forms the basis of their primary identity. With terrorism casting a long, dark shadow over Muslim communities, that identity is increasingly attacked and questioned. We believe our faith has and will continue to enrich British public life," it says.

"Rather than be shaped by it, our politicians should show leadership by challenging the febrile public discourse that scapegoats Muslims and questions their right to practise their faith in this country of ours."

It is also highly critical of the Government's Prevent counter-radicalisation strategy which is supposed to stop people getting drawn into extremism.

"Taken together with increasingly illiberal counter-terrorism powers, the detrimental effects of the Prevent strategy must be recognised in its continuing alienation of British Muslim communities," the guide says.

"Recent suggestions to have the governmental powers to close down mosques and tackle Sharia courts underscore this problem.

"For many, they are seen as measures designed to appeal more to the prejudices some people have against Muslims, not tackle the scourge of terrorism itself."

It also calls for the UK to pursue an "ethical and consistent" foreign policy with respect for the "fundamental freedoms and human rights" of the Palestinian people.

"In the last year, the situation between Israel and Palestine had reached breaking point, with a heavy loss of life, particularly on the Palestinian side," it says.

"The racism displayed by the re-elected Israeli prime minister (Mr Netanyahu) re-affirms the widely held view that his government is not serious for peace."