News of Prince Harry’s deployment provoked a mixed reaction among Britain’s 1.6 million Muslims.

Some expressed concerns about the true motives behind the fight against the Taleban; others described Prince Harry’s presence in Helmand as propaganda and berated the media for going along with a news blackout.

A tiny minority — one or two — approached by The Times shook their heads in disapproval and refused to comment. Others voiced concern for the Prince’s safety but said it was a “good thing” that he had taken a decision to serve.

Standing in driving rain outside the King Fahd Mosque in Edinburgh, Irfan Khan, 24, a student from Pakistan, said: “Certainly some Muslims will be annoyed by the news. The Taleban are also Muslims so that does pose a problem for us.” Ahmed Farossi, 39, a chef in the city heading for Friday prayers, said: “It depends whether you think the war is a good cause and I’m not convinced about that.”

Saeed, 31, a geophysicist from Iran, said: “I don’t have a problem with it but I think it’s a propaganda trick to make people in Britain feel better about the war. It’s not particularly clear to me why Britain is there but I don’t approve of the Taleban either.”

Outside Regent’s Park Mosque in London, Abdul Moasin, 18, said: “I don’t mind at all. I think the Taleban should be stopped but they shouldn’t portray all Muslims as being like the Taleban.”

The radical cleric Omar Bakri Mohammad, who is banned from Britain, speaking in Lebanon, said Prince Harry’s role could provoke new terror attacks on Britain. He said the Prince’s presence in Afghanistan was a “crime” and would be used as a recruiting tool for al-Qaeda.

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