A COMMUNITY cohesion expert in Blackburn is to launch a series of workshops to tackle common misconceptions about Islam.

Faz Patel will talk about how the religion is peaceful in a bid to tackle rising Islamophobia, which he blames on recent terror attacks and media coverage.

The 36-year-old from Shear Brow, who received an MBE in recognition of his voluntary involvement to promote cohesion, said: “After the Charlie Hebdo attacks, I have been reaching out to the non-Muslim community to promote who Mohammad really was.

“I have had huge interest from people across the north.

“In the next couple of weeks I will be going to various venues to talk about the importance of peace.

“I’m reaching out to non-Muslims and young British Muslims about how to live as a proud Muslim in this country. Not all Muslims are terrorists.”

On January 7, brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi walked into the offices of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and killed 11 people in a revenge attack.

Their motive is believed to be hatred for the publication’s depictions of Mohammad, an act forbidden in Islam.

Mr Patel said: “The problem is when anything happens, we always have to apologise and that’s the saddest thing.

“Because of some idiots the entire Muslim community gets tarnished.”

He also blamed the barbaric actions of Islamic State in the Middle East, as well as the media’s reaction to them.

He said: “ISIS is a monster group giving out a bad image of Islam.

“They have twisted the entire faith.

“People are scared of Islam. I wear a black cap and people get scared of that.

“I want all the community to work together. We have to make sure ISIS doesn’t divide us.

“It’s us as a humanity working together.”

Mr Patel’s words echoed those of Shuja Shafi, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, who said: “The best way to defeat their hatred is to bring even stronger bonds between communities here in Britain.

“This is why, while we were deeply offended by the deliberate insults of Charlie Hebdo magazine, we condemned without equivocation the brutal attack in Paris.”

Mr Patel held one workshop in the Pendle area last month, and said he is accepting invitations to talk to community groups.

He can be called on 07759-116340.