A COMMUNITY of Muslims in High Wycombe have launched a campaign to try and 'counter extremists who hijack Islam for political ends'.

The group of Ahmadiyya Muslims have begun delivering hundreds of leaflets to promote the “true Islamic principles of peace”.

Suleman Hashim, the president of the High Wycombe Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, said: “Islam stresses the promotion of peace in words and deeds.

“We hope to facilitate a better understanding of Islam so that people are able judge for themselves the actions of those who claim to speak and act in its good name."

The aim is that by the end of the year ten per cent of homes in the High Wycombe area will have received leaflets. The programme is set to continue for ten years until all homes in the town have been reached.

The leaflets talk about loyalty, freedom, equality, respect and peace, as well as promoting a dedicated website (see link below).

The initiative is a part of a national campaign that was launched in London in January.

Mr Hashim said the drive to promote peace has been repeatedly emphasised by the worldwide leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

He quoted His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad: “A true Muslim can never raise his voice in hatred against his fellow citizens, nor for that matter against the ruling authority or government of the time... he should remain loyal and fully abide by the laws of the land of which he is a subject.”