Scotland is not getting the most out of its Muslim youth, according to a new organisation.
The Scottish-Islamic Foundation (SIF) has called for more attention and help to be given to young people.
The organisation said issues surrounded education, employment and crime, while "everyone also wants to talk about terrorism".
It hopes to work to improve standards at madrassahs, or religious schools in Scotland.
Osama Saeed, chief executive of SIF, said Scottish Muslims were comfortable with their identities and this meant that Scotland could be an example for other countries.
He added: "We don't need to have the same debate about integration we see elsewhere, and it means we can talk about how Muslims can now further deepen their contribution to the country."
He said when setting up the new organisation two issues had kept coming up.
"We need to sort out our youth and secondly fix the image of Islam in the public mind. This is exactly what we're going to set about doing."
One area the SIF will be looking at is education and the thousands of boys who attend daily after-school madrassahs in local mosques. The foundation said it would be working with mosques to improve standards.
Some talk about a 'clash of civilisations'. Scotland is uniquely placed to help avoid this happening
Osama Saeed
SIF
The launch was attended by First Minister Alex Salmond, who said he believed the foundation would "strengthen Scotland's Muslim community and Scotland's reputation around the world as a role model of diversity and understanding between communities".
Others speaking included Cardinal Keith O'Brien, and the Scottish Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders.
The organisation is planning a large festival in early 2010 called IslamExpo, which it said would be the largest event ever held by the Muslim community in Scotland.
Mr Saeed added: "We will talk to the entire country. Not only that, but we believe this will be an opportunity to reach out to the Muslim world.
"Some talk about a 'clash of civilisations'. Scotland is uniquely placed to help avoid this happening.
"Glasgow Airport showed us we can't stay out. The festival will show the world how Muslims and non-Muslims can co-exist."
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