Martyrdom, until relatively recently, was thought of by most people as belonging to an ancient age and ancient struggles. Christ was martyred on the cross. The Christian martyrs died for their beliefs, refusing to put up resistance when faced with violence and persecution. During the crusades there were many Muslim martyrs. Now a twisted version of martyrdom stares at us most days from our newspapers and television screens. The suicide bombers who strap explosives to their chests in Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel are determined to take as many innocent people with them on their way to paradise and 72 virgins. Martyrdom drove the men who carried out the 9/11 attacks on America and the July 7 bombings on London’s transport system.

How do you stop disaffected young Muslims from following the path towards what they see as martyrdom? That has been the question dogging us since July 7. Muslim elders point out that suicide and murder are against the teachings of Islam but to little avail. Now the British Muslim Forum, a government-backed body, is trying to convince young Muslims here that a true act of martyrdom would be dying in the service of your country, even against Muslim opponents. They cite Jabron Hashmi, a 24-year-old lance corporal who was killed in Afghanistan’s Helmand province earlier this year. He was a hero but has been dismissed by Islamic extremists as a “salaried traitor”.

Tony Blair, in a speech on multiculturalism on Friday, praised the “thoroughly decent law- abiding citizens” who make up the Muslim majority but warned of a “new and virulent form of ideology” associated with the minority. So far, efforts to prevent extremist poison corrupting the minds of disaffected Muslim youth have been modest. Whether or not they can be persuaded to become potential British martyrs can be questioned. But it shows imaginative thinking, which is what we need. There is a hearts and minds battle to be fought — here on Britain’s streets.