New Delhi, India - CHERIE Blair risked a political storm yesterday when she slated the way women are treated in the Islamic world.
The Prime Minister's wife said some Muslims treat women as second-class citizens and deprive them of human rights in the name of religion.
Speaking in India during an official visit with husband Tony, Cherie said: "I am a very religious person and there is much that is good about Islam.
"But some people and groups misinterpret it, especially in its treatment of women."
Cherie, 50, told Indian journalists at a lunch in New Delhi that Islam was behind the times.
Wearing an Indian-style outfit, she added: "I am fascinated by Islam and the different ways it is practised across the world.
"It is a very deep religion, but in certain circumstances it does seem to be somewhat of an anachronism, particularly in the way some women are treated under Islam."
Guests at the lunch said Cherie went on to say change was needed. But she stopped when she realised she had strayed into a diplomatic minefield.
Yesterday, Tony Blair was questioned about his wife's remarks as he stood alongside Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh after a trade summit.
Blair said: "I have enough issues on my plate without getting into a whole lot of new ones. I was not at the lunch and have not talked to Cherie about it."
Cherie, a human rights barrister, is defending a Muslim girl who has been barred from school in the UK because she wants to wear traditional dress.
Yesterday, Cherie said she and her daughter Kathryn disagreed over whether the schoolgirl should be allowed to wear Muslim dress or not On a lighter note, the PM's wife said her childhood fantasy was to come to India and "fall in love with an Indian prince".
The Blairs flew back to Britain last night after their four-day visit to China and India.
They were protected by unprecedented security in India amid warnings that Blair was to be targeted by two Islamic extremist groups.