Young Muslims are to be targeted in a new £105,000 push to stop Islamic extremism gaining a toe-hold in Oxford.

Oxford City Council has been given the money as part of the Government's £6m Winning Hearts and Minds programme to prevent a repeat of the London terrorist bombings in July 2005.

Oxford's estimated 7,300 Muslims have been praised for their integration within the city's diverse community, and the money will be used to help young Muslims tackle violent extremist ideologies before they can take root.

The funding will be focused towards Muslims aged between 12 and 25, Muslim women, mosques and promoting community harmony.

The scheme could attract a further £130,000 in 2009, and £165,000 in 2010.

Councillor Antonia Bance, executive member for social inclusion and young people, said: "This is about building community cohesion and helping individual Muslims, communities and organisation to challenge extremist ideas.

"This isn't about targeting or labelling parts of the Muslim community in Oxford.

"Among local Muslims the reaction has been positive.

"Everyone has a shared concern in building cohesion and challenging extremist ideologies and this money will help do that."

Cheney School in Headington was the first recipient of funding from the programme, with pupils last week being treated to a play by the GW Theatre Company called One Extreme to the Other, which dealt with racism, asylum, forced marriages, jihad and equality.

Oxford Central Mosque chairman Sabir-Hussain Mirza said: "We welcome the money. As far as we know there's no fundamentalism or extremism in Oxford and we represent 98 per cent of the Muslims here.

"Muslim people have been ignored too long. We have never had such help from the Government before.

"It's about time they recognised the special needs of Muslim people and children.

"I would spend the money on youth sport and education.

"The youth need funding for football and cricket to keep them busy and active, and Muslim women should receive lessons in English and Arabic.

"Ten or 15 years ago there was no fundamentalism and extremism but the British and Americans have created enemies.

"Muslims are peaceful people, and we are helping to create peace and harmony in Oxford."

City regeneration executive director Mel Barrett said: "We can't say that, because we have a positive history in Oxford, we don't need to do this.

"Our Government has determined that it is important we reach out to our Muslim community because of events in the past."