Muslims tell of strike fears

The majority of Muslims condemned the US attacks

As Muslim leaders in Britain speak out over the strikes in Afghanistan, BBC social affairs reporter Barnie Choudhury gauges the mood among ordinary worshippers:

The first stop was Birmingham's Central Mosque, in a city with more than 120,000 Muslims - mostly Pakistanis and Kashmiris.

It is just after 1300 BST and a steady stream of Muslims are arriving for one of five daily trips to prayer.

But these are dark days for the two million or more Muslims in Britain.

While vast majority condemned the atrocities in America as soon as the events unfolded, a tiny minority clapped and cheered and came out with anti-Western rhetoric.

Unfortunately - some Muslims say - they got a disproportionate level of the media spotlight putting added stress on other communities.

'Where's the proof?'

Since 11 September, Muslim groups have been pushing home the point that Islam is a peaceful religion.

Some Muslims pray five times a day

Many have also warned that attacks on Afghanistan may be seen as attacks on Islam and alienate many in the Muslim communities.

There is evidence of growing frustration with America's role.

"America is nothing more than a bully. They're flexing their muscles," one worshipper told me.

Another asked passionately: "Where's the proof? America is the judge, jury and executioner."

Multi-cultural pride

About 100 miles north-west is Manchester. A city which has seen its fair share of terrorism, at the hands of the IRA, in the past.

Its multi-cultural communities rallied around and worked together to make sure the city did not crumble away.

Next year it hosts the Commonwealth Games, a perfect show case for the different groups who live side by side.

The Muslims here are proud to be associated with this city. It is their home.

And this is why Britain's leaders should take notice of what they have to say.

American contempt

They condemn the attacks carried out on America. But their indignation is quick to surface.

The mosque's secretary Muhammad Sabir-Chaudhary believes America is no better than the terrorists.

"They are creating a terror. A lot of families are running away from their homes," he said.

We have to look on at the add on effects of what is going to happen

Muslim worshipper

"They should try not to be terrorists as the others have been. They were individual terrorists now it's state terror."

A worshipper asks the question troubling many.

"The Afghans live in mud huts. Do they realise the humanitarian damage they are causing?"

This is not their only concern. There is a palpable fear that the bombing will have repercussions.

Another worshipper said: "It can have dire effects on the stability of the region because we have to remember there are nuclear powers in that region.

"We have to look on at the add on effects of what is going to happen."

A frightening, yet sobering thought for the hawks in the allied forces.

Taleban sympathy

The danger signs are there. Is the government here losing the battle for hearts and minds?

There is a tiny minority, perhaps, who are sympathetic to the Taleban.

A worshipper said: "Taleban are doing the right thing.

"They're going to frustrate America to bomb them from the top.

"What I think is going to happen is firstly come to battle with us on the ground and that's when America's going to get blown away."

But the comforting thing is that the majority of Muslims in Britain are moderates.

They will be as long as they have wise counsellors, like Manchester Councillor Aftab Ahmad.

His ward, he says, has 45% Muslims and his message is clear. Be patient.

He said: "Our prime minister cannot give us all the details, the facts that he knows because they are top secret as it were.

"And I'm sure given a few days we, as a community, will understand why these attacks are taking place."

But the longer the bombing campaign continues, the greater the concern that ordinary worshippers will believe that it is the Muslim religion that is being targeted.