Listening to some of our politicians, one might imagine the West Midlands is a hotbed of religious conflict.
A high-profile Birmingham councillor has been accused, without justification, of holding extremist views.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister himself has highlighted Birmingham’s largest mosque as an example of extremism by suggesting that “the people in Birmingham Central Mosque, or wherever”, believe that 9/11 was a Jewish conspiracy.
What a contrast with the comments of Mohammed Naseem, the mosque’s chairman.
In an interview with the Birmingham Post today, he accuses both Labour and the Conservatives of creating divisions – but also highlights the way that different faiths in the city are working together.
Indeed, one of the most visible examples of inter-faith friendship occurred after the 9/11 attacks, when the late Birmingham Rabbi Leonard Tann made a point of making regular visits to the mosque as a mark of solidarity with the Muslim community at the time.
It’s significant not only that he held out his hand in friendship, but that the mosque and many of its congregation accepted it.
What’s not entirely clear is whether David Cameron intended to single out Birmingham Central Mosque as a place where conspiracy theories might be aired.
Perhaps he simply meant that such opinions may exist among some Muslims, and made his point in a clumsy way.
Having said that, the Prime Minister’s comments, made in a newspaper interview, did echo similar comments made when he was leader of the opposition in 2007, after he stayed with a Muslim family in Birmingham and reported that he had come across conspiracy theories at a city mosque.
It may be that Mr Cameron did hear such claims, they certainly exist. Of course, he might also hear the odd unpleasant statement if he spends time talking about world affairs with people who aren’t Muslims, too, but that doesn’t detract from the point he was making.
It’s just a pity that he chose to highlight a specific mosque and its worshippers in such an offhand manner without reference to the many examples of co-operation and friendship which the mosque has also been involved in.
Mr Cameron’s speech on the subject of extremism, delivered in Berlin, was thoughtful and positive, even though coverage inevitably focused on his criticism of multiculturalism. It deserves to be taken seriously.
His throwaway comments about a Birmingham mosque were neither of those things.
Meanwhile, Birmingham councillor Martin Mullaney has made a fool of himself with his ill-advised attack on a fellow councillor, who happens to be one of the UK’s most prominent Muslim politicians.
He can criticise Salma Yaqoob for failing to stand up to applaud a decorated British soldier if he disagrees with her decision. There are many who may agree with him.
However, to claim that she supports suicide bombings – without a shred of credible evidence and despite her frequent condemnation of terrorism – is irresponsible at best and provides ammunition for those home-grown extremists who seek to portray Muslims as the enemy within.
Coun Mullaney hasn’t apologised. Lib Dem leaders should release him from his vow of silence so that he can do so – and then explain what disciplinary action, if any, they will be taking.
