MUSLIM leaders and campaigners for equality in East Lancashire have welcomed moves by the Government to introduce measures to combat anti-Muslim hate crimes in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

The hate crime move, announced by Home Secretary David Blunkett at the Labour party conference, was designed to help protect the community from a backlash to the September 11 terror attacks.

But local leaders, while welcoming the proposals, saw them as long overdue.

Ibrahim Masder, chair of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, which represents more than 70 of the 100 mosques across Lancashire, said: "The proposals are extremely welcome by the Muslim community across Britain.

"Muslims have been and are important to the social and economic life of Britain and we are committed to increasing our contribution to the society in Britain.

"We have been trying to get the race relation laws changed so that Islam is also accorded the same protection as other religions in this country. We are glad that after so many years of trying that the Home Secretary has realised that we ought to be accorded that same protection."

Mr Masder said that although there had been incidents of hate crimes across the country, Lancashire had fared well. "The community relations in Lancashire are very good because of the excellent work of both ourselves and groups like the Anglican and Muslim Group, which promotes tolerance and co-operation."

Director of Blackburn Racial Equality Council Abdul Chowdry welcomed the Government's proposals but said: "It is a long time coming really. I feel that the last three weeks' incidents have set back community relations in this country enormously. Suddenly, we have people who are fearful of the future. We need reassurance really."

He added: "I think it is a welcome opportunity from a government of the time thinking and knowing that there are issues based on people's religion. There was a gap which existed in the law and this will help to fill that gap."

Mr Blunkett was to announce a widening of the law on incitement to tackle religious as well as racial hatred covering all religions.

He also announced that he wanted to review the work permit system to help take the heat out of the asylum debate.