Muslim leaders in Hounslow say they support government efforts to "root out" extremism but have criticised use of the term "Islamic extremism".
In a joint statement, prominent figures from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC) in the borough said: "Any genuine attempt to curb extremism is to be welcomed. No true Muslim could contemplate acting against the laws of the land and so if he or she does, then strict law enforcement in such cases is necessary.
"However, we do not agree that the term 'Islamic extremism' should be used in this context and is in fact misused by the media and by politicians.
"The AMC considers terms that seek to link Islam with extremism or terrorism to be entirely wrong. This falsely associates the peaceful religion with evil acts of extremists and is entirely unhelpful and counterproductive."
The statement from Zia Qureshi and Zaheer Khan, presidents of the AMC in Hounslow north and south respectively, and from Councillor Hanif Khan, who is a member of the AMC, follows a controversial speech by Prime Minister David Cameron about tackling home-grown terrorism.
Addressing a global security conference in Bratislava on Friday (June 19), Mr Cameron suggested there were sections of the Muslim community which "quietly condoned" the anti-west mindset fuelling ISIL terrorists, albeit not their bloody actions.
"I am clear that one of the reasons [for homegrown terrorists] is that there are people who hold some of these views who don't go as far as advocating violence, but who do buy into some of these prejudices giving the extreme Islamist narrative weight and telling fellow Muslims 'you are part of this'," the Prime Minister told the audience.
Mr Cameron referred to "Islamist" rather than "Islamic" extremism in his speech, a small but crucial difference indicating that while ISIL may align itself to Islam, its adherents are not true followers of the faith.
However, his words were criticised by some commentators, who suggested the PM risked alienating Muslims in the UK by calling on them to do more in the fight against extremist ideology rather than praising the good work they were already doing to prevent radicalisation.
Conservative minister Sayeeda Warsi was among those to speak out, writing in the guardian: "The government is aware of how disengaged it is from large sections of the British Muslim communities. So advisers would have known how this intervention, with its misguided emphasis and call to action, would at best fall on deaf ears, and at worst further alienate."
In their joint statement, AMC leaders in Hounslow said their community had "repeatedly condemned all forms of extremism".
"Radicalisation by ISIL or anyone else needs a collective response. Families have a role to play in ensuring that their youth remain active citizens, faith leaders have a role to guide people to peace and social harmony and governments and media need to ensure that moderate voices are given a platform to present the true peaceful message of Islam. Governments must also promote and uphold justice in international affairs," they continued.
