London, England - Britain's 12th "Islam Awareness Week" has been launched in a bid to combat Islamophobia across the country.
Called "Past and present: 1,000 years of Islam in Great Britain", the initiative is seeking to highlight the religion's long-standing presence in Britain.
This year's event, however, takes place against a background of renewed intercommunity tension following the July 7 attacks in London that killed 56 and injured 700 others.
The attacks -- by four Muslim suicide bombers -- have led to suspicion in some quarters towards some of the country's 1.54 million-strong Muslim community and a number of racist incidents.
Sughar Ahmed, a spokesman for organisers the Islamic Society of Britain (ISB), said relations between the Muslim community and the rest of Britain need to improve.
"The purpose behind it ("Islam Awareness Week") is purely and simply to create a better understanding of different aspects of Islam within Britain," said on Monday.
"I think there is a need for learning about each other's cultures and faiths. It's a responsibility upon each and everyone of us.
"The disasters that have happened recently across the world, not just Britain, but also in America (the attacks of September 11, 2001) highlights the breakdown in communications that we have amongst each other in terms of communties and our faiths."
The week includes different events in about 20 British towns, such as conferences, debates, exhibitions, food-tasting events and films.