The Asian community should take the lead in its thinking about life in this country, says a leading QC.

Mukhtar Hussain, who came to Keighley from Pakistan in the 1960s, believes it is essential the debate moves on and the community's participation, if not taking the lead, is essential.

Mr Hussain, who sits as a judge, was guest speaker at an Eid party attended by over 700 people at the Victoria Hall, Keighley earlier this week.

The party was also to honour the Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev David Smith, Doug Hardaker, principal of Keighley College, and Miles Mizon, head of Greenhead High School, who are all retiring this year.

Mr Hussain asked who would have believed that the boy who arrived to live with a paternal uncle in Keighley all those years ago would be standing before such an audience as the country's second ever youngest barrister and now a Crown Court recorder?

He said he could feel "sheer harmony" coming from the mix of people of all ages and backgrounds in the audience.

He encouraged the community to stop trying to hold on to and re-create the lifestyle of their youth back in Pakistan in today's Keighley.

He said that moving on would not mean a loss of their faith or culture.

After the meeting he said: "What I said was a reflection of my experience as a second generation immigrant, 30 years as a lawyer and heart-felt desire.

"It is my belief that we as a community must now take the next step - that the debate needs to move on and our participation, if not the lead, is essential."

Dr Sajid Ur Rahman, director of Islamic Research International and professor of Islamic studies at the University of Islamabad, told the audience, which included local politicians, Keighley Rotarians and community representatives, that Islam was a religion of love and peace.

Carol Wood, of Utley, who was in the audience, said: "The meeting was so upbeat, so positive and forward-thinking and should benefit everybody. I am just delighted that I was there."