A board of Islamic experts is to be set up with funds from the Government to offer advice to Muslims on issues such wearing a veil and the role of women in public life.

The move, announced yesterday, is aimed at sidelining extremists within the community who misuse Islamic beliefs to reinforce cultural practices, including stereotyping women.

There will also be citizenship classes for young Muslims in mosque schools. Trials of the new lessons will begin in in East and West London, Leicester, Birmingham, Oldham, Rochdale and Bradford at the start of the new term in September. The initiative is designed to show youngsters that there is no conflict between their religion and being British. The Government is providing money to train imams for the schemes.

Hazel Blears, the Communities Secretary, announced that £100,000 of public money will help Cambridge University to create an independent board of academic and theological experts.

Twenty leading Muslims will sit on the board, which will be expected to compile a report on Islamic beliefs in relation to life in modern Britain over the coming academic year.

Ms Blears was clearly concerned that the move could be seen as an attempt to interfere in faith issues, particularly as some Muslims accuse ministers of trying to create state-sponsored Islam.

She insisted: “It is not for Government to dictate on matters of faith or religious teaching. But Muslim communities themselves have told us that stronger leadership is needed on what are often controversial issues.”

A Communities department spokeswoman said: “Muslims have consistently expressed concerns about Islamic beliefs being misused by those seeking to promote extremism or reinforce certain cultural practices.

“They are equally clear that violence has no place in Islam and that Islamic theology can play a vital part in countering such teachings.”

The spokeswoman said that membership of the new board would reflect the diversity of Muslim communities in Britain.

“It will look at things like the veil, about being both Muslim and British and whether Muslims can feel confident in voting and engaging with society like that.”

A number of incidents have led to concerns that the wearing of the Islamic veil is one of the barriers in community relations between Muslim and non-Muslim Britons.

Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, an imam with the Muslim Council of Britain, said the creation of the group had been driven by Muslims rather than the Government.

He said: “We felt we needed something of this nature to help create a better structured approach to how we are educating our children. We feel our children need to be taught that they can be proud Muslims and proud young British people.

“Anything that helps to make our communities stronger should be welcomed - provided that it's not used to isolate, control or change what a community is.”

Sheikh Mogra said: “This board has to be something owned by us, driven by us but supported by Government. We've made it clear that it's not for Government to touch our theology or touch the way we train our people.”

But Taji Mustafa, a spokesman for Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said: “Whether it is the proposed state citizenship indoctrination for children in madrassas, or the new Imam's board, the British Government's interference in the Muslim community and matters of Islam is unprecedented in comparison with any other religion or community.”

Yesterday's proposals are aimed at boosting the role of Muslim women by encouraging their involvement in public life.

The report said that too often their voices were not heard through lack of confidence, balancing work and family and because they were subject to stereotypes and so not included in public debate.

“This must change. We have to get better at listening to Muslim women, acknowledging their contribution to this country's economic, cultural and civic life, and opening the door for more women to become empowered.”