Race watchdogs in Bradford have welcome moves by Home Secretary Jack Straw to protect Muslims from religious discrimination and harassment.

Mr Straw, putting the final touches to his new Crime and Disorder Bill, has responded to lobbying from the Muslim Council of Britain which sent a seven-man delegation to meet him this week.

At the moment the Bill, which is going through Parliament, states assaults and harassment cases will be looked on more harshly by the courts if the offence is 'racially aggravated'.

The current wording does not offer protection to the country's 1.2 million Muslims because they are from many different races, not a single racial group.

Mr Straw said: "It is a matter of concern which has been raised by Muslim leaders in my own constituency of Blackburn. I am trying to find a way of framing new legislation that is workable."

Mr Straw and civil servants will now attempt to draft a new clause to close the loophole - by outlawing prejudice-based attacks on followers of Islam and other bona fide religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.

It could make religious prejudice a criminal matter in Britain for the first time.

Ishtiaq Ahmed, of the Bradford Racial Equality Council (REC) welcomed Mr Straw's intervention, adding: "Any amendment to the existing law to extend protection to other faiths must be good news and will be welcomed by the Muslim community in Bradford.

"This is another step by the Government to recognise that Britain is a multi-faith country.''

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