Blair unveils plan to train more imams in Britain

In an attempt to reduce the number of overseas clerics teaching in British mosques, Mr Blair announced funding would be available for those studying in the UK.

Overseas clerics have been accused of fuelling radicalism and failing to understand modern multicultural Britain.

Some speak poor English and struggle to engage effectively with young people born and brought up here.

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The announcement came as the Government designated Islamic studies as "strategically important" to Britain's national interests, a move which will allow tighter official scrutiny of university courses.

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell launched a £1million project to boost Islamic studies courses after a Governmentcommissioned report warned that some were failing to reflect the "realities" of Muslim life in Britain.

Mr Rammell also urged closer links between Islamic schools and mainstream education.

The study, by Dr Ataullah Siddiqui, was commissioned a year ago, amid fears that some students were being exposed on campus to radical preachers who condone terrorism.

Mr Blair, looking tanned and relaxed after his globetrotting farewell tour last week, told a London conference on Islam that British politicians and the public needed to listen to the "calm voice of moderation and reason" of most of the country's Muslims, rather than the rhetoric of militant groups.

He said: "Most seek to play a part as loyal citizens of their countries and as loyal Muslims. This is of course contrary to the often crude portrayals in the media or by those who deal only in stereotypes and seek to whip up Islamophobic sentiment. "The voices of extremism are no more representative of Islam than the use, in times gone by, of torture to force conversion to Christianity represents the true teaching of Christ."

The interfaith conference, organised by Cambridge University, will today hear from Tory leader David Cameron.