Britain: PM causing hostility to Islam, says Miss England.

THE country's first Muslim Miss England yesterday accused Tony Blair of fuelling hostility towards Islam in the wake of the London bombings.

Hammasa Kohistani, 19, said the attacks of July 7 last year had in some ways brought communities together, as people from many different backgrounds were killed.

But statements from the Government in the year since the bombings had created "negative stereotypes" of Muslims, she said.

Speaking as she returned to Uxbridge College in Middlesex to study for A-levels, Ms Kohistani said July 7 had represented "a reality slap" for those who thought Britain would never see such atrocities.

"I think in a sense it brought communities together," she said.

But at the same time "there is this hostility", which comes "mainly from the Government".

"Tony Blair addressed Muslims in particular, telling them that they need to sort out the problem within. That was a huge stereotype of the Islamic community.

"Even the more moderate Muslims have been stereotyped negatively and feel they have to take actions to prove themselves."

Ms Kohistani, whose family fled the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, said she was setting up a charity to help educate Afghan children.

Her own coronation as Miss England in 2005 was controversial, sparking anger from some Muslims with highly traditional beliefs about women.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) rejected the criticism, arguing that it was committed to "building strong, positive relationships" with Muslims.

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Hammasa Kohistani at Uxbridge College yesterday Picture: stefan rousseau