The Muslim community in Merton are among those to condemn the Paris terror attacks as the role of different faiths in the media is debated by dozens who turned out to a seminar on Tuesday.

A young Muslim woman who described how she was attacked in Morden by a man who tried to rip her headscarf off, a Rabbi who educates young people on inter-faith tolerance and acceptance, and an Imam frustrated by the portrayal of Muslims in the media all pitched into a debate at Merton’s Council chamber.

Wimbledon Times:

The British Muslim Association of Merton (BMAM) chairman Fahim Akhter

Paris terror attack: Faith groups in the media to be debated after at least 129 killed

Imam Bilal Patel of the Morden Islamic Community Centre stepped in last minute to cover for an absent Dr Chris Allen from the University of Birmingham at the Faith in the Media - A Muslim and Jewish Perspective, organised by the Muslim Women of Merton.

He passionately condemned the Paris terror attacks and the perpetrators who claimed to be Muslims, saying anyone acting in that way was the opposite of Muslim.

Imam Patel said: "The media has such power of moulding people’s perceptions.

"The only thing driving it is money.

"In 99.9 per cent of Muslims, terrorism is so far from the truth."

His frustration at what he says is a negative portrayal of Muslims in the media was clear.

Speaking about what he said was ‘unethical reporting', and building local community relationships, Imam Patel said: "Sometimes it’s hurtful and damaging to our morale.

"Can I do more? What’s the point? Everything I have done in the last ten, 15 years as Imam has been washed out with one headline."

He is among the Muslims in Merton to have spoken out to condemn the attacks on Friday, November 13.

The British Muslim Association of Merton (BMAM) chairman Fahim Akhter issued the following statement: "The attacks in Paris are horrific and abhorrent, and we condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms.

"My thoughts and prayers for the families of those killed and injured and for the people of France, our neighbours.

"This attack is being claimed by the group calling themselves ‘Islamic State’. There is nothing Islamic about such people and their actions are evil, and outside the boundaries set by our faith.

"Our religion Islam promotes peace and harmony. We Muslims live peacefully with all the faiths and non-believers. Islam does not encourage violence."

The Merton branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is holding a special inter-faith remembrance service on Friday at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden from 2pm to 3pm.

There will be a special service of prayers as well as a minute's silence in memory of those who lost their lives to show terrorism will only serve to unite people.

BMAM will host an inter-faith conference on Friday, December 4, at the civic centre in Morden with guest speaker Lauren Booth, sister of Cherie Blair.