The idea of Islamic Awareness Week to promote a more positive view of the Muslim faith is a worthwhile one as well as being timely. Islam currently has a poor image among non-Muslims. As Nazhat Ali of the Islamic Society of Britain says, it is too often linked in their minds with terrorism and fundamentalism. That is perhaps understandable, given that so many global disputes currently involve Muslim states and that campaigns of terror are waged in the name of Islam. However, there is much more than that to this ancient faith.

The theme of the week, Islamic Heritage, aims to end stereotypes by highlighting the contributions made by Muslims to science, medicine, art and literature - aspects which are too often overlooked by those who wrongly assume that all major advances in these areas were made in the West.

Mark Pattison, director of Education Bradford, is right when he says it is important for young people in the district to understand the importance of Islam "and all other major faiths".

It is good that he emphasises that latter point. Although Islam is increasingly important in Bradford, it shares the city with many others faiths. It is vital that those who follow one particular religion respect all those who have different beliefs, and the key to that respect is understanding.

In this respect, perhaps we should now look forward to Hinduism Awareness Week, Christianity Awareness Week, Judaism Awareness Week and other similar events to help that understanding along.