A PROMINENT businessman who has been elected the new chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques has pledged to tackle the problem of "acutely alienated" young Muslims.

Blackburn-based Ibrahim Master said: "The Lancashire Council of Mosques will have to shape its agenda to further engage the young Muslims who, on occasion, may experience an acute sense of alienation from society.

"I want the LCM to be a vehicle of identity for the Muslim youth."

Mr Master, who is also an active member of several voluntary and statutory organisations, including the Lancashire Police Authority, said that while the Muslim community in general was working towards greater unity and cohesion and was seeking to play a positive and constructive role in the mainstream of British society, there were often negative elements seeking to undermine this positive work -- as recent events in East Lancashire had shown.

"My efforts to promote racial tolerance and a socially-just and inclusive society in Lancashire are well noted," he added.

"As serving chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, I want to continue this important work, promote Islamic awareness amongst the indigenous population and foster better community relations."

Mr Master also chairs the Ethnic Minorities Development Association and sits on the Asian Business Federation and Blackburn Regeneration Partnership.

He contributed to the Blackburn City Challenge programme in the 90s to regenerate rundown areas of the town as a board member, voicing street-based concerns.

"The challenge for me will not be easy," he said of his new role.