LORD Clarke's recent report on riots in Burnley confirmed what most right-minded members of the Asian community had already known previously. Events in Oldham had absolutely no direct bearing on the thuggery on the streets of Burnley.

The majority of the Asian community in the region have been aware of the rising problems of drug dealing and drug taking among young Asian males. It is also right to note the alarm about the number of young Asians who are resorting to the range of associated criminal activities.

What is also criminal and alarming is that the so-called self-appointed community leaders from the Muslim communities have constantly denied the truth, frequently blaming the riots on racial hatred.

The fundamental cause of the Burnley riots was criminal activities perpetrated by a minority of hard-core thugs who happen to be from both the 'white' and 'Asian' heritage communities.

The very same "leaders," often aspiring to be politicians, have a moral, ethical and religious duty to vent their disapproval against the criminal elements, particularly those who they aspire to represent.

It is a public duty to name and shame the drug dealers and the rest of the criminal elements. In the interest of good community relations and to discourage harm to future generations, it is also a public duty to support authorities to fully investigate all acts of crimes. There are also lessons to be learned from Oldham's report, particularly those affecting young people and future generations. That report has identified segregation in schools as one of the main causes in racial hatred and intolerance. It is recommended that single faith schools must accept an intake of at least 25 per cent from other faiths.

In Blackburn, will Tauheedul Islam Girls High School consider such a recommendation favourably? The fact is that Tauheedul Islam Girls High School has a strong Islamic environment. However, it is a sectarian school.

Its selection policy and practices are exclusively aimed to serve the Bharuchee community -- an Indian Muslim community who originate from the Bharuch district in Gujerat, India. Such policies are divisive and do little to promote racial harmony and tolerance.

The Asian community is extremely diverse. It features a community that practices many religions including Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism. Islam is global and Blackburn's community is equally diverse and includes Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Africans and British Muslims.

Blackburn's Muslim community deserves voluntary-aided Islamic schools. But, Blackburn with Darwen Council must learn from past mistakes and must be considerate in its plans to support applications for voluntary-aided schools.

Politicians have a public duty to serve all communities equally and must refrain from favouring the select few.

SAMAD KHAN, Blackburn (full address received).