TEACHER Anjum Anwar is touring East Lancashire schools in a bid to tackle some of the modern misconceptions of Islam and the way Muslims live.

She tells education reporter CLARE COOK about the importance of religious education her work. . .

THE aftermath of September 11 was a breeding ground for false statements and misconceptions about Islam.

Fears about a generation of children growing up believing them prompted the Lancashire Council of Mosques and Lancashire County Council education chiefs to act.

Understanding Islam, set up two and a half years ago, aims to tackle some of the problems.

Mother-of-one Anjum Anwar, 48, was appointed as a project worker, touring all Lancashire's 647 schools talking about Islam, organising mosque tours and training teachers in more detail about the religion.

But on the school visits, which have so far included Rhyddings High and Moorhead High in Accrington as well as schools in Burnley, she has been faced with some of the most elementary questions about her religion.

Is Islam something you eat? What colour are Muslims? Why do Muslim women wear black scarves? The answers, it is hoped, will help tackle 'Islamaphobia' in East Lancashire youngsters.

Wayne Marland, schools advisor equality expert at Lancashire County Council, said the £30,000-a-year project was leading the fight.

It has already been taken up by Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool councils and operates alongside a range of initiatives promoting inclusion -- and the demand from schools is ever increasing.

The depth of ignorance surrounding Islam was quite a shock for Anjum, given that one in nine people in East Lancashire is a Muslim, according to the 2001 Census.

Few would know Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years or that Muslims were in America before Christopher Columbus.

But on a more rudimentary level, Anjum challenges youngsters on the stigma that goes with religion. Last month she visited Helmshore primary school in Gregory Fold, to help pupils revise the five pillars of Islam before SATS exams. She said: "I get asked all sorts of questions and it is about explaining the traditions and choices surrounding the Islamic code.

"I do not believe our national system of education covers the civilisations and other cultures as much as is needed. We need to look at what we teach and how we teach it. The problems arise when people think their way is the only way.

"Islam has been demonised and presented in a manner which is not conducive to good community cohesion.

"There is a lot of misinformation and disinformation about Islam which makes life difficult for ordinary Muslims living in UK or other parts of the world.

"The project presents Islam as lived experiences and has been very successful in providing correct information about the fastest growing religion."

Anjum is not prepared to stand back and accept ignorance. She is ready for the challenge of change.

So far 128 schools have been visited and 33 mosque visits organised with several schools in Burnley, Padiham, Nelson, and Chorley being organised.

Two conferences on Muslims of Europe have been organised between four secondary schools including two from Blackburn and two more conferences are being organised for primary schools between Muslims and non-Muslims.

"Most commonly asked questions are why do you wear that 'thing' , the hijab, on your head, do you live in a house and why do Muslims fight?

"But this is about living Islam and fitting in with the RE curriculum. We can all do with inter faith education."

But it remains to be seen if knowledge about Islam is infiltrating some of East Lancashire's hardened communities.

So far the feedback from teachers and parents has been very positive and Understanding Islam was presented to the Prime Minister, who appreciated the work of education and faith communities.

Anjum lives in Accrington and has been in the UK for the past 38 years.

She said: "This is my 'home' although at home one is supposed to feel totally secure. I and many Muslims like me do not always feel secure.

"There have been minor incidents like name calling but I feel there is much more 'silent' disapproval of Muslims.

This is very apparent in how certain people look at you and whisper, rather than anything direct. My family have always felt that to create a community, we all need to work together. Those people who fear Islam, have no knowledge about Islam."