A senior judge who sentenced the people involved in the Bradford riots has urged the Muslim community to play their part in the legal system.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Stephen Gullick, speaking at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association's Eid reception, encouraged them to try and become lay magistrates and to make sure they took the opportunity of performing jury service.

Judge Gullick, who said it would not be appropriate to talk about the riots of July 2001 because prosecutions were still continuing, said proposed new rules were designed to make the appointment of the judiciary more open and transparent.

"The legal process must involve as wide a cross-section of the community as possible," the judge said.

He added: "The lay magistrates in Bradford are always looking for new recruits. I would commend that avenue of public service to you. It is vitally important that all sections of the community are adequately represented in the total number of magistrates in this city."

Judge Gullick said that sitting on a jury and judging fellow citizens was one of the greatest public duties.

"Juries are meant to reflect a cross-section of the community where a defendant lives. That can only be achieved if all those eligible are placed on the electoral roll and attend court when they are asked to perform jury service.

"I would urge you all to do whatever is in your power to help the confidence in the legal system and perhaps the best way would be to participate in it if you wish to or if you are required to do so."

West Yorkshire Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn told the reception, held at the Bait-Ul-Hamd mosque in Leeds Road yesterday, that Bradford suffered from being misunderstood.

"I am pleased to help in promoting understanding between all of us because by doing so we will continue to move forward," he said.

"I am an optimist, but I am particularly optimistic about this city at this time. In large measure that is because of communities like your own which have made such a sterling contribution to Bradford."

Magistrate Bary Malik, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Bradford, said the actions of a few had been used to portray the Islamic religion as one of hatred and an atmosphere of peace should be created.

He said: "We have to be on the guard all the time to ensure intolerance and lack of understanding between communities does not affect the peace and harmony in which we live."

The reception was attended by leaders of all faiths, business people, senior police officers and Bradford Coroner Roger Whittaker.

Employment Minister Gerry Sutcliffe and Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton were also among the speakers.

A cheque for £500, raised by the Association, was presented to Deputy Lord Mayor Grahame Thornton for the Lord Mayor's Appeal.