SIR - The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Leeds welcomes efforts to counter extremism. Dr Asim Salim, President, and Muhammad Nayyer, Secretary External Affairs, said: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s renewed focus on tackling the root causes of extremism.

The issue must be tackled from the home and community centres. However wider measures are also needed and it requires firm steps and firm action if progress is to be made.

“We acknowledge the Prime Minister’s reference to Islam being a religion of peace, but we disagree that there is any link to Islam and extremism. There is absolutely no link and the Holy Quran rejects extremism outright. It is unfortunately true that certain Muslims carry out terrorists acts in the name of Islam, and for such horrific acts those Muslims must be accountable, not the religion of Islam.

“In taking its work forward the Government also has a responsibility to ensure that in its drive to tackle extremism it provides space for discussion and views that have no link with extremism. In promoting the concept of loyalty the government can go further and introduce a pledge of loyalty to one’s country for all children in schools.”

Muhammad Nayyer, Secretary External Affairs, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Leeds