The decision by the Belfast Islamic Centre to throw open its doors and invite the general public to take part in a special day of talks, tours and refreshments deserves to be strongly commended.
It is estimated that up to 8,000 Muslims live in Northern Ireland, representing a substantial and growing section of the population, but they still remain surrounded by a number of misconceptions which have occasionally even been propagated by some public figures.
As we reported yesterday, the message their leaders wish to send out is that Islam is a simple religion, which has much in common with other faiths but wants no connection with what they regard as the `criminals and killers' of the ISIS group.
Sunday's open day was a positive and imaginative step which should help to increase respect and understanding right across our society.
