Home Secretary John Reid described the letter as "a dreadful misjudgement", and said the government could not be seen to change policy because of terrorism.

Here, our panel of UK Muslims share their thoughts on foreign policy and the events of the last week.

Najeeba Durrani Coventry "Mindless idiots tarnish the reputation of Muslims" Z Banglawala Leicester "We should pursue an independent foreign policy"

Jubril Alao London "The shallow nature of extremism can be exposed" Saiqa Aftab Birmingham "What about freedom of speech?"

Do you think that foreign policy has fuelled extremism? You can send us your views with the link below.

Najeeba says she was saddened by the recent arrests

When I heard the news that several Muslims had been detained in relation to the alleged attacks I felt angry.

Again a few mindless idiots have tarnished the reputation of Muslim people. It really saddens me.

What are they? Second generation, third generation? What has gone wrong? Is it the parents? Is it the community?

I do feel that UK foreign policy, particularly over the Middle East, makes Muslim people feel angry.

Again a few mindless idiots have tarnished the reputation of Muslim people

But I have to emphasise that I don't think this can be seen as an excuse for extremism. In some ways extremists are jumping on the bandwagon.

It's something of a vicious cycle. Events such as 9/11 and the July 7 attacks lead to a reaction by government. This reaction leaves some Muslims feeling more disenchanted with their lives, and pushes them to the fringes of society.

But the whole foreign policy issue is a difficult one.

With the recent issue of the Middle East conflict, America and Britain should have called for a ceasefire earlier - because innocent lives were being lost on both sides.

In the current situation, the government needs to speak to the grass roots. They need to bypass the so-called community leaders and speak to ordinary Muslims.

Zuber would like to see a more independent foreign policy

There is a definitely a problem with British foreign policy.

The UK just seems to follow the USA. We should try and pursue our own independent policy, and criticise America when they are in the wrong.

It would be good to see Britain being more neutral in the Middle East.

The Palestine-Israel situation is a burning issue - there are hardly any Muslims who don't feel strongly about it. And the UK could try to be more balanced and push for some lasting settlement in the region.

I can't believe that the government criticised the letter from Muslim leaders. It seems obvious to me that UK foreign policy is giving fuel to extremists. Why can't the government see this?

We should try and pursue our own independent policy

I mean, sometimes I feel angry about British foreign policy. But other people who are already off the deep end could be pushed to extremes.

Of course the government is right to say that it shouldn't change policy because of terrorists - it should change policy because it's the right thing to do.

Like every other government's foreign policy, there are some aspects to British foreign policy which are good and commendable, and others that are unjust and need to be improved.

The problem, in two words, is double standards.

Both the UK and the US claim to want democracy to flourish in the Middle East, but when a legitimate government is elected that doesn't agree with them, they turn their backs on them.

There are positive and negative sides to UK foreign policy, says Jubril

No government should allow their foreign policy to be dictated by terrorists, but governments should listen to thier people and serve them.

One million people marched against the war in Iraq it in London, yet the government ignored those voices.

And most of the United Nations called for an immediate ceasefire in the recent Middle East conflict.

The problem, in two words, is double standards

So we shouldn't change policy because of what one group - in this case Muslim leaders - want, but because it should become more fair and more just.

In the current climate, a genuine debate is needed whereby the government engages both those who agree with their approach and those who don't.

If there are public forums where extremists and other Muslim scholars are allowed to bring forth their arguments, then the shallow nature of extremism can be exposed.

It is important to discuss foreign policy publicly, says Saiqa

In a way, extremists use foreign policy as an excuse for actions.

But there is also a fundamental sense of grievance with how Muslim people are being treated around the world.

In recent conflicts, it seems that it's always Muslims who are victims. For example in Chechnya, Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Palestine.

Countries like the UK and the US seem more concerned with the preservation of oil supply rather than building peace.

But I really don't know how UK foreign policy could change to make this better - maybe I just don't have enough knowledge!

And I can understand why the government reacted in the way it did to the letter from Muslim leaders.

But what about freedom of speech? If groups don't call for change in policy then how would issues be discussed in public?

If groups don't call for change in policy then how would issues be discussed in public?

It seems the majority of people in Britain feel that the war in Iraq was wrong, so why shouldn't those leaders ask for change?

The government have been saying they want to "engage" the Muslim community to help prevent extremism since 9/11 - but nothing has changed!

They should be trying to talk to people who are extremists, rather than the majority of ordinary Muslims.

Do you think that foreign policy has fuelled extremism? You can send us your views with the link below.