Home Secretary David Blunkett was today applauded in Bradford for being "courageous" in attempting to bring in tough new religious hatred laws.

Sher Azam, president of Bradford Council of Mosques, said a loophole which meant Muslims could still be discriminated against because of their religion could be closed if it becomes law.

Mr Blunkett was today highlighting new moves to tackle religious and political extremists.

The law could also be used against fundamentalist Islamists as well as other extremists who preach against Christian society.

Mr Azam, said: "This is a very courageous move. It should make Britain a place where people cannot legally be allowed to hate anybody on the grounds of race or religion.

"Religion teaches peace and harmony but there are unscrupulous people who spread hate around. They have to be checked."

He said the law followed a case where a Yorkshire firm refused to take on women or Muslims.

An appeal was successful on behalf of women but there was no protection for Muslims, he said.

"We hope this law will help a great deal to reduce hatred against any religion," he added.

Councillor Khadim Hussain, manager at the Sangat Community Centre in Keighley, said the law was a move in the right direction but would be difficult to prosecute.

He also said more had to be done at grass roots level to improve community relations on all sides.

"More has to be done to win hearts and minds," he said.

The Government first tried to bring in the offence in 2001 as part of a package of emergency measures in the weeks following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

However, it was dropped in the face of strong opposition in the House of Lords.