The Muslim Council of Britain has launched a 'Know Your Rights and Responsibilities Pocket Guide' in a move aimed at reassuring Muslims who feel "unsettled and fearful" of anti-terror tactics while stating their responsibilities as British citizens.

The guide lists a police anti-terror hotline number, stressing it is "an Islamic imperative" to avert possible terrorist attacks.

Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the MCB, said: "These recent months and years have been very difficult for British Muslims.

"The combination of the anti-terror raids, the large increase in police stop and search activities, and the constant denigration in the media of Islam and its followers, has left many British Muslims feeling unsettled and even fearful.

"This pocket guide seeks to reassure Muslims about their rights and remind them of the responsibilities we all share to help build a more just and cohesive society." The guide also contains information about what to do if Muslims are arrested, detained at ports or have their houses searched by the police.

It gives advice on helping Muslim children perform better in school and urges British Muslims to participate in the mainstream political parties.

The council is planning to translate the pocket guide into Urdu, Bengali, Arabic, Gujarati and Turkish languages.

There are some 411,000 Muslim households in the UK, according to the 2001 Census.

Prominent British Muslims have already voiced their support for the guide, according to the MCB. Baroness Pola Uddin said, "It is a very welcome effort. I am sure it will be a great help to both British Muslims and the wider community."

Lord Adam Patel said: "I applaud the decision to produce this pocket guide.

"It is very much needed in the current atmosphere."

"Yet another ground-breaking MCB initiative. Small in size, huge in significance," said Dilowar Khan, of Islamic Forum Europe.

Dr Zahoor Qurashi, general secretary of the Islamic Society of Britain, said, "An essential guide in these uncertain times. Every Muslim should carry a copy."

"An indispensable companion in these times of peril," added Ahmed Sheikh Mohamed, president of the Muslim Association of Britain.

The publication of the pamphlet was also welcomed by Home Secretary David Blunkett, who said it took: "A constructive and sensitive approach to a range of issues relating to the rights and responsibilities of both the Muslim community and our wider community."

Mr Blunkett added: "As I have consistently made clear, the small minority of people engaged in religious extremism do not speak on behalf of the communities they claim to represent and we must continue to counter the false perceptions they promote.

"That is why this leaflet is so useful, and I warmly welcome it."