THE vice-chairman of the new Redditch mosque has said he is totally against extremism and terrorism in response to a town vicar's criticism of Islam.

Sakral Hussain's comments came after the Rev Andy Kelso, of Christ Church in Matchborough, said recent publicity about Muslim women wearing veils underlined a grave concern.

Mr Kelso said: "In an ideal world, all people and all religions ought to be able to co-exist peacefully. That is not so with Islam.

"The problem is that this nation has turned its back on its Judeo-Christian roots and values and is now at the mercy of Islam's extremist factions."

Mr Kelso added the situation was no worse locally than it was nationally but claimed that nearly 50 per cent of Muslims wanted to live in the UK under the more strict sharia law and impose it on the nation.

"Unless church and political leaders uphold and speak out strongly for our Christian heritage, we are in serious danger of being taken over," he said.

Mr Hussain, who was born and bred in the town, said: "Mr Kelso's fears about being taken over are unfounded.

"Islam is a way of life and is tolerant and forgiving. Those who support violence are in a very small minority.

"We built a balcony in our new mosque so that non-Muslims can come and see what we do and how we conduct ourselves."

He explained that sharia law, which includes capital punishment, was mainly practised in countries such as Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on the issue of Aishah Azmi, from Dewsbury, who was dismissed for wearing a full veil while she was teaching, he said: "If wearing a veil impedes her ability to teach, then I sympathise with the school."