Proud to be Muslim and British

The debate will come live from Jamia Mosque in Normanton

The East Midlands Politics Show looks at how the Muslim community has evolved in Derby and seeks out their views on British involvement in Afghanistan.

In a special programme from the Jamia Mosque in Normanton, Marie Ashby also asks young Muslims born and brought up in Derby how they view their role in today's Britain.

The shops and restaurants that line Normanton Road in Derby are a perfect reflection of the community they serve.

Pakistani supermarkets, Caribbean hairdressers, Polish newsagents and the local pub illustrate the mix of ethnic groups in the area.

In the space of a mile there are places of worship for local Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Hindus.

With so many different cultures and languages crammed into a small part of the city, you might think the image would be one of separation and fragmentation.

But many residents say it is quite the opposite; describing the area as friendly, cohesive and even a potential tourist attraction.

Get on well

Mohammed Riaz, a local taxi driver, has lived in the area since the late 1970's and says Normanton has everything you could want.

"The different communities get on well together. The Indian and Pakistani communities have been here for a long time and it's a pleasure living together

"There was a little bit of a change when people started coming from Iraq and Eastern Europe, but they have gradually adjusted well."

Not that Normanton is without its problems. Donna Brooks from the local SureStart centre says:

"It used to be mainly white and Asian people here. Now we have lots of Eastern Europeans, plus asylum seekers from all over the world.

"That creates a challenge for the services here. We've had more disharmony in the last couple of years but compared to some parts of the country, it still feels like a cohesive community."

Ties to Pakistan

Many members of the Muslim community still have family ties to Pakistan and the surrounding region.

Mohammed Khan attends the Men's Group at Sahahra, a local charity in Normanton. He fought in the Punjab Regiment of the British Army before the creation of Pakistan.

The men's group at Sahahra, a local charity in Normanton

And whilst Islam is the most important aspect of his life, he also says he would "do anything for Britain, I'm proud to be British."

He opposed the Iraq war, but insists British forces should be in Afghanistan.

"The Taliban are killing too many innocent people, they should stop the war otherwise the British should fight back."

His views on British involvement in Afghanistan do not accord with other Muslims we have spoken to.

Many oppose our presence there, reflecting opposition across Britain.

Local chaplain, Abdullah Shahjahan, stresses: "No foreign force has ever been successful in Afghanistan. Not even the Moguls. We should get our boys out now."

He will also be taking part in the discussion from the Jamia Mosque along with the mosque's general secretary, Gulfraz Nawaz.

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