A North Herts Muslim association is hosting a peace seminar next month with freedom of speech the hot topic on the table.

The Stevenage-based Ahmadiyya Muslim Association – which was established in 1914 and is one of the oldest groups of its kind in the country – has chosen the subject with the outrage caused by the recent Paris massacres in mind.

Muslim groups throughout the world have disowned the actions of extremists who attacked cartoonists at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and others because of depictions of the prophet Muhammad.

Co-ordinator Mhammad Younas said: “We are committed to making a positive contribution to society and as part of this we would like to promote the true meaning of Islam both as a religion and a culture through various awareness programmes.

“The theme of the event will be freedom of speech, with a talk on the theme and an open question and answer forum.

“The AMA condemns all forms of terrorism and totally disagrees with the violent response of some Muslims to various recent events.”

The seminar will be held at North Herts College’s Hitchin centre on Sunday, March 1.