Edinburgh, May 10: A Muslim Police Association is to be established in Scotland to improve understanding of the faith and tackle "Islamophobia".

Police Constable Amar Shakoor, who was Scotland's first Muslim police officer, is supportive of the scheme.

“In the past few years, there has been some negativity about Islam affecting the Muslim communities. We want to highlight some of the positive things Islam can provide to communities and not just the police services," The Scotsman quoted him, as saying.

Strathclyde Police chief constable Steve House also backs the plan, which he hopes will persuade more Muslims to see the police as a career option.

Bashir Maan, convener of the Muslim Council of Scotland, said: "The community probably has not as much trust in Muslims as they used to, and if somebody has less trust in a police officer, that is a very serious matter." (ANI)