THE most important point to make about Abu Hamza al-Masri is that he does not represent the vast majority of Muslims who have made their homes in this country.

It is a point which must be repeated, underlined, and not forgotten.

No-one can really know how much damage his hateful messages have caused and he should have been stopped sooner.

But his preachings must be kept in the right context - as the views of an extremist who appeals to a relatively tiny number.

While acknowledging the dangers of creating a so-called martyr, we welcome yesterday's decision to send Abu Hamza to prison because Britain cannot go on tolerating those who openly incite murder and racial hatred in the name of religion.

If ordinary, decent, moderate Muslims are to be protected from racists, the law has to root out the small number of lunatics among them who are intent on creating division and promoting the killing of others.

Abu Hamza is no more representative of Muslims than the disgraceful mob of protestors who turned out in London last week, calling for a murderous response to the publication of blasphemous cartoons.

For every single extremist promoting violence, there are thousands of decent human beings who simply want to live together in peace.

As long as that is remembered, and society does not ignore the Abu Hamzas of the world, the war on terror will be won.