Speaking at the launch of 'Islam is Peace' campaign at Westminster this morning, Simon Hughes MP, President of the Liberal Democrats, said:

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Oct 2007

''Liberal Democrats across the United Kingdom, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, welcome and support this campaign.

''The slogan of the campaign is 'Proud to be a British Muslim'.

''It is important that Muslims in Britain now make clear to everybody else that they are British first and also Muslims, and not Muslims first and also British.

''All of us need to recognise that in the United Kingdom we are made up of four different countries and many diverse communities, but altogether in one state - where people of all faiths and none are equally entitled to be recognised as British and proud to be British.

''It is really important that within Islam those who believe that Islam is a peaceful faith win the internal argument over extremists and fanatics who propagate conflict, confrontation and division. In all major faiths there are always intolerant hardliners and it is the duty of the rest of each faith community to make sure their arguments and voices do not prevail.

''Muslims in Britain should be equally proud to be British Muslims as Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Jews should be proud to be British members of their faith as well. The majority community often forgets that Christianity is no more a British religion than Islam, Judaism or any other major world faith. All great world faiths have come to us from abroad and all are entitled to equal respect and participation in the United Kingdom.

''Muslims and non-Muslims alike have a duty to educate and be educated about the truths of Islam as of other world faiths. I hope today marks a new start in ensuring that Muslims are seen by everybody to be part of the mainstream or British life - contributing as doctors and teachers and cleaners and businessmen and sportswomen just like the rest of us''.