Faith schools 'may breed terrorism'

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Professor David Canter came to the conclusion after leading a pioneering study which involved speaking to convicted Islamic terrorists about their lives and beliefs.

His findings indicate that the common Western view of terrorism emerging from deprivation and conflict is wrong.

Spiritual belief and attachment to a particular social group provided the two most important pathways into the world of terror, said Prof Canter.

The research also showed that far from being ignorant "pawns" or mentally disturbed, most terrorists were educated and intelligent.

Strict faith schools steered students towards terrorism by instilling in them a sense of exclusive spiritual and social identity, Prof Canter argued.

The professor, director of the Centre for Investigative Psychology at the University of Liverpool, said: "I have to say, and this is a personal point of view, that issues like faith schools are terribly dangerous.

"Setting up these divisions based on faith and religion is the starting point for people thinking of themselves as separate and distinct and part of some out-group."

Prof Canter said there was "no doubt" that religious segregation contributed to terrorism in Northern Ireland.

A total of 49 convicted Islamist terrorists were interviewed in their native language for the study in India. Most were serving prison sentences for terrorist activities including murder and failed suicide missions.