First person: Muslim opinion in Britain

As part of our special coverage on Iraq, Breakfast sent the BBC's Social Affairs Correspondent Barney Choudhury to Manchester, to find out what the Muslim community in Britain thinks.

Here's his first-person account of the diverse opinions he found

The only time I ever go to Oldham is when there are riots or racial tensions. Well, that is what my colleagues say.

So it was nice to meet Abdul Malik-Ahad, a community worker who lives in Oldham. He came to Britain from Bangladesh more than twenty years ago and is fiercely proud of being an Oldham-er.

Abdul: not convinced by by the case for war

As we tuck into our poppadums and chutneys he says a possible war is an issue affecting all communities, not just Muslims.

"The fact that I'm a British Muslim in this case, is neither here nor there. As a human being I feel that the case for war is not convincing at all."

He believes that Saddam Hussain is a bad man who has killed his people. But the argument for war is far from black and white.

"I don't feel we've exhausted all the peaceful means and mechanisms.

"I think we should be following all the alternatives. If the policy of containment for ten years has worked - what has changed?"

But Abdul Malik does not think this is a war on Islam. It is a view shared ten miles south-west of Oldham in Manchester.

Atia: America is flexing its muscles

Atia Rifat is a pharmacist. Close your eyes and hear her speak and you think of her as the native Mancunian she is. Only her hijab - or head-scarf - gives us a clue that she is a Muslim.

To her the conflict is America flexing her muscles, trying to re-order the geo-political map of the Middle East.

"It's about America wanting to dominate the world, to take control of the Middle East. America's own economy is in recession at the moment and they need that oil, they need the control."

This strikes a chord with all the Muslims to whom I have spoken.

The myth perpetuated by the media, they say, is that Muslims are disloyal.

Yet listening to those to whom I have spoken, Muslims reflect the majority view in Britain: no war; a second UN resolution; greater evidence.

So what about the reports of young Muslims going to fight against Britain and America? Atia Riftat responds immediately:

"All faiths, all non-faith groups - all have extremists and lunatic fringes. It's for us the majority who are tolerant, respectful of each others' view points and belief systems to take control and not allow them to control the discussions and debate."

There is no single view of this war. Like most Britons, Muslims will be discussing the possibility of war on Iraq. Like many they will be on the anti-war marches.

And like most of us Muslims will be watching and waiting and hoping this episode of history can be concluded peacefully.