REPORTS into the causes of the riots in Oldham and Burnley a few years ago had a common thread running through them.

Too many people were leading parallel lives with a lack of knowledge of others from different religious and ethnic backgrounds living nearby.

And to put it bluntly, that separateness fosters ignorance which in turn breeds fear.

That's why something like the Understanding Islam project is such a good idea in breaking down barriers caused by lack of knowledge.

The scheme succeeds by starting with our youngsters in schools and working to tackle what has come to be known as 'Islamaphobia.'

Mother Anjum Anwar tours schools talking about Islam, organising mosque tours and training non Muslim teachers so they know more about her religion.

She has been surprised how little is known about the religion of one in nine residents of East Lancashire whether it is about why women wear the hijab or headscarf or, for example, the historical fact that Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.

Islam is an integral part of today's British society and such education is vital if Muslims and non-Muslims are to live alongside each other as equal members of one society without division, fear and mistrust.