The recent bombings across London through the actions of terrorists (and the fall-out to us all as Londoners), should make us more determined to catch them as quickly as possible and put through our judicial process.

But for some of the British media, the acts of terrorism have equated with Islam and Muslims in the UK. Not only is this a blatant over-generalisation of what are complex issues, but also it does a deep disservice to a vast majority of Muslims who have been born and brought up in this country and who also feel that the security of our nation is paramount.

Political, Not Religious Motives
It is becoming clear that the hand of Al-Qaeda may be at work here. It has to be stressed that Al-Qaeda is a political movement first and foremost and whilst its followers may regard themselves as Muslims, it is the politicisation of events in the last 15 years that has given rise and credence to this group.

Born out of the presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia in the first Gulf War, (which had a deep impact on Osama Bin Laden), it has evolved as politically influenced events have taken place. The withdrawal of Russian forces from Afghanistan, the Gulf War, the end of the civil war in Afghanistan and the take over of Kabul by Taliban forces all shaped the organisation.

The killing of Ahmed Shah Massoud, the then Head of the Northern Alliance's forces on September 9th 2001 and the subsequent attacks on the Twin Towers 48 hours later, do not show motives that are religiously motivated.

Osama Bin Laden has consistently brought up issues on Chechnya, Palestine and Iraq as issues of contention with the West and once again, these show political and not religious motives.

Religion may be laced onto the crimes though we must not fall into the trap of believing that they are because of Islam or Muslims. To do that, we will further alienate a community that has been in the UK for hundreds of years and many of whose ancestors fought in the First and Second World Wars for Queen and Country.

For example, my grandfather was responsible for feeding and protecting British soldiers in Uganda during the Second World War as they made their way up to fighting in the wind swept sands of North Africa. There are numerous examples of heroism by Muslim soldiers who died in action fighting to save their comrades and the values that we hold dear and take for granted today.

Current Context
In July 1995, 8,000 Muslim men and boys were executed and hacked to death by Serb forces in a few days in a carefully prepared killing zone. The aim was to ensure that Muslims and Muslim influence would no longer be visible in the Drina Valley in Eastern Bosnia.

The war against Bosnia was politically and resource driven to ensure that the Serbian Republic hung on to these entities once Croatia had declared independence with Bosnia. Slobodan Milosevic (now sitting in the Hague for Crimes against Humanity), used nationalism and religion as a cover for his political motives.

To date, many people still think that the war against Bosnia was because of religious motives. It was clearly not, though religious tensions were manipulated by the Butcher of Bosnia, Milosevic.

The example provided above should be a warning call to the media not to fall into the trap of labelling whole communities. The bombings in London were indiscriminate and killed Muslims and non-Muslims. Two were placed in areas where there is a high Muslim population, (Edgware Road and Aldgate Station).

Additionally, we all feel a duty to protect our city and our nation and are proud of the fact that the diversity of London will and should not be affected by the actions of criminals and individuals who by their very deeds, should make us understand and give out the hand of friendship to one another.

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Fiyal Mughal is deputy president of the Liberal Democrats and chair of the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats (EMLD).
fiyaz@fiyaz.freeserve.co.uk