SWATHED in traditional tribal robes, turbans covering their heads and AK47s slung across their shoulders, they are every inch the fanatical Taliban fighters. But it seems that, among the ranks of those protecting their homeland from the US-led attacks, are some hailing from within the international coalition itself.

Several British Muslims are thought to have died fighting alongside the Taliban, after having travelled to Afghanistan to oppose what they see as a war against Islam. And hundreds more are reported to be ready to lay down their lives for the sake of their religion, even if it means coming up against British troops.

While those who are prepared to take up arms on behalf of the Taliban, and risk a charge for treason, may be an extremist minority, there is a growing disquiet among Muslims at the way the war against terrorism is being prosecuted, according to Mobeen Mehdi, chairman of the Jamia Mosque in Middlesbrough.

"We are British and obviously we condemn what happened in America, but we feel that bombing Afghanistan is not the answer," he says. "In my mind, the question is, who are we bombing? Bin Laden won't be under the bombs and, for the sake of one person, we are taking many innocent lives. We are destroying what is already a dead country. We sympathise with the civilians - obviously, they are Muslims, but we would sympathise with anybody who is killed for no reason, whether they are Christian, or Hindu or Muslim. I don't think anything is to be achieved by bombing.

"We all want to get bin Laden, but is this the best way? We need to sit down and listen to the problems of the Palestinians and the Jewish people, the Arabs and the Saudis, and the Kashmiris, and use the United Nations as the ultimate authority. What is the reason for Palestinians to go to Afghanistan if we're solving their problems?

"We are in the 21st Century, where fighting and killing is not the answer. The way we're doing it, we're creating more bin Ladens. Muslims are joining the Taliban to fight this. They're not going for bin Laden, they're going to help the innocent civilians."

Fanatics who have joined the Taliban claim the United States is leading a war on Islam, but this is not a view shared by most Muslims in the North-East, according to Mr Mehdi. But, he says, the actions of extremists should not reflect on other Muslims.

"I don't see that the Americans are going for Islam; I think they're going for bin Laden. Whether I agree with the way they're going for him is another issue. They are going to spend billions destroying the country and then billions putting it right again. It is the height of stupidity.

"But there are extremists in every religion. You just have to look at what goes on with the IRA, and we have that in every religion. Everyone has their own way of thinking, and religion is very much a private affair. The answer is not to go and fight, and that applies to Americans and extremist Muslims."

The continued bombing campaign also risks alienating Muslims throughout the world, as the number of civilian victims mounts, according to Zafar Uddin, chairman of the Bangladesh Muslim Welfare Association on Teesside. "If they have the evidence, they should go and get him, rather than just bomb Afghanistan," he says. "And if the Taliban is harbouring him, they should be accountable, but there is a way to do it. I don't think bombing is going to bring peace or solve the problem.

"The civilians in Afghanistan are already going through starvation - it is an undeveloped country. One in four die before the age of five and the average life expectancy is 47. It is not a very good message to give the Muslim people: the coalition is saying it is a war against terrorism, not against Islam, and yet they are killing Muslims in Afghanistan."

When the US released a list of the 22 most wanted terrorists, in the wake of the September 11 attacks, all of them were Muslim, but this ignores extremists in other parts of the world, says Mr Uddin. "We do agree with the coalition that terrorism has to be finished, but, at the same time, this war is not going to help.

"Everyone condemns this attack on America, but we have lost enough innocent lives and now, as a result of this war, we are losing even more. Overall, it seems as though Muslims are getting singled out, and it could create a lot more terrorists seeking revenge."

The approach of Ramadan is also creating a dilemma for the coalition, over whether the bombing should continue during the Muslim holy month. Downing Street last night signalled that there would be no let up, although no decision has yet been taken.

But a pause in hostilities would be an important gesture for Muslims, according to Muhammad Hashmi, Imam of the Jamia Mosque. He says Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar and beginning on November 16, is a reminder of the plight of the poorest people.

"The month of Ramadan is the month of fasting. All the day, Muslims don't eat anything, they don't drink and they don't have any relations between husband and wife from dawn to dusk," he says. Muslims then donate money saved from fasting, plus 2.5 per cent of their wealth, to the poor at the end of Ramadan, he adds.

"If they don't eat themselves, they feel weak and they feel hungry, and feel the suffering of those people who don't have food to eat. Muslims are suffering during Ramadan, and, if they are being attacked by the United States, their suffering is doubled. That is why we suggest the bombing should be stopped, because they are already suffering."

Fasting has part of the Islamic faith for 1,400 years, dating back to the Prophet Mohammed's arrival at Medina, he says. "We have to do this and fasting has been a part of other religions. Christians used to do it for 40 days, but, unfortunately, they have stopped now. Muslims still do it."

And for Mosque chairman Mobeen Mehdi, a halt in the bombing over Ramadan could help lessen the disquiet among Muslims. "It is a month of purity and meditation and a month of peace. It is a month which is considered the prime month for every Muslim.

"It would be a sign of respect for the civilians who are Muslims to stop the bombing and there would be a lot more discontent if it did not stop. It would be a gesture and if it did stop, maybe it would make some people realise that this is not a war against Islam."