A powerful exhibition condemning suicide bombers has been staged by Muslims in Keighley.

Members of Keighley Ahmadiyya Muslim Association organised the three-week display, at the town's library.

Association president Aziz Rahman said the venture aimed to make clear that Islam was a peaceful religion totally opposed to terrorism.

He told us: "Islam is getting a very bad press at the moment, but the vast majority of its followers are peace-loving people. I am a Muslim but I do not want to be put in the same bracket as those who have carried out atrocities -- their actions are nothing at all to do with Islam."

He said the exhibition had received a very positive response from a cross-section of the community. Association members had been on hand to answer questions.

"Some of the exhibits tried to support the fact that terrorism is abhorred in Islam and is rejected in any form," said Mr Rahman.

"Verses from the Quran as well as sayings of the Prophet Muhammad were used to illustrate this point, that Islam has never sanctioned the use of suicide bombing whatever the reason or purpose.

"In fact the founder of Islam condemned suicide and the Quran clearly rejects the taking of innocent lives. Only the most deluded could regard such suicide attacks as Jihad.

"Can it be a good action to shoot down an utter stranger who is walking through the street on some errand and who has done us no harm? If this kind of thing is virtuous, wild animals possess more virtue than such men. There is no justification or support for such mindless actions. This exhibition proved to be useful in raising the awareness of the true teaching of Islam among the local public."

He supported calls made this week for Muslims across the country to help police fight terrorism.

The Muslim Council of Britain wants imams and community leaders to be alert for possible illegal activities, and is writing to mosques nationwide on the issue.

It follows the arrest earlier this week of eight men as part of a police swoop on terror suspects in London, and the seizure of half a ton of bomb-making fertiliser.