A BRADFORD mosque has started a campaign to raise public awareness of the difference between the true beliefs of Islam and those of extremist groups such as ISIS.

The new campaign by the Masjid As-Sunnah mosque and its adjoining Salafi bookstore, on Great Horton Road, comes in a week when extremism has returned to the forefront of debate among British politics.

Prime Minister David Cameron suggested on Monday that not being able to speak English could make Muslim women more susceptible to the messages of extremist groups, while Education Secretary Nicky Morgan yesterday announced a new website aimed at keeping children safe from "the spell of twisted ideologies".

The new 'Educate Against Hate' website will offer advice and guidance to teachers and parents on how to protect children from extremism.

To spread the true meaning of Islam, the Masjid As-Sunnah has published a series of leaflets, a book and a website to educate both Muslims and non-Muslims who may not fully understand the history and ideologies of Islamic extremism, and how extremism is not representative of the beliefs of Islam.

They have distributed leaflets in the local community and have also held assemblies at schools, including Bradford Grammar School, to spread the peaceful message of Islam.

A statement issued by the Masjid As-Sunnah, to accompany the launch of its campaign, said: "Islam has placed great emphasis on kindness to the neighbour; this is our religious duty.

"Radical extremists are shunned and despised by the vast majority of Muslims, it is a shame they receive such high exposure which leads to fearmongering in society.

"If people have developed negative perceptions about Islam it is perfectly understandable, but we hope this information will bring greater understanding of these abhorrent actions which have nothing to do with Islam."

In the statement, the mosque told how during the earliest centuries of Islam, a group of extremist renegades, called Kharijites, broke off from the main body of Islam and, motivated by personal grievances and worldly pursuits, began the slaughter of Muslims who did not agree with their views, including the third and fourth caliphs, successors to the Prophet Muhammad.

Under various guises, the Kharijites are said to have murdered millions of Muslims in the past 1400 years, right up to the present day in their current carnations as ISIS and other terrorist groups.

To try and combat ISIS recruitment, police last week released a film featuring female Syrian refugees telling British mothers about the realities of life in the war torn country.

Following on from the Prime Minister's concern about non-English speaking Muslim women becoming radicalised, it was revealed that in 2015, 56 women and girls were reported missing by their families, all feared to have travelled to Syria, including two families from Bradford.

Helen Ball, senior national co-ordinator for counter terrorism policing, said: "The personal accounts of the women in this film highlight the harsh reality of life for women in a war-torn country, and I hope it will help women stop and think about the huge mistake they would be making if they travel."

Mahroof Mohammed, a trustee at the mosque, said that he is not sure there is a link between not speaking English and extremism, and that it is more about the right teachings and ideologies than what language people speak.

He said: "Teaching people orthodox Islam is important to ensure extremism can be correctly identified and tackled and to ensure Islam is distanced and freed from the barbaric actions of extremists.

"We have a responsibility that everything being taught is in line with orthodox Islam, these are values that need to be taught to our children so they can live in the community as good Muslims."

Mr Mohammed also warned of some of the signs to look out for that a person may be developing extremist views, and how this can be tackled.

"If a person is constantly focusing on the political situation in the Middle East, praising extremist leaders and abusing other Muslims - calling them non-believers - we have a duty to inform the relevant authorities.

"This should be tackled by those that have the ability and knowledge such as the police and authentic, firmly grounded scholars and teachers, to explain the falsehood upon which the extremists operate.

"Muslim communities must be at the forefront of stamping out terrorism."

Other Islamic organisations in Bradford have given the new campaign their support.

Rafiq Sehgal, from the Bradford Council for Mosques, said that what we see in the news about Islamic extremists is totally opposite to what Islam teaches.

He said: "I think is very important that people realise the difference and have the knowledge to see the difference between real Islam and extremists.

"They are using Islam for political advantage rather than religious purposes and we welcome this campaign, there needs to be more of it done throughout the community."

Bana Gora, CEO of the Muslim Women's Council, said that recent terror attacks are threatening race relations and community cohesion.

She said: "Widespread suspicion, mistrust and hostility are on the rise, and Muslim minorities fear being portrayed as the enemy within.

"In this context it falls upon Muslims to reclaim Islam back from extremists who have hijacked this peaceful religion for their own ends.

"What we should be doing is allowing freedom of speech and thought to be aired openly in order to educate young people about the true teachings of mainstream Islam."

For more information about the campaign or to arrange a free work or school assembly, contact Masjid As-Sunnah on 01274 501736.