A GOVERNMENT-funded play aimed at tackling Muslim extremism is to be performed in East Oxford.

Oxfordshire Bangladeshi Association will present A Tale of Two Friends at the Pegasus Theatre to “protect young people in the city from falling a prey to extremism”.

It has been given £14,000 from the Government’s Preventing Violent Extremism programme, which has supported more than 29 projects in Oxford over the past four years.

The national programme, set up under Labour, gave £400,000 to Oxford City Council. No further cash will be given and only £250,000 was spent.

City schemes included encouraging young Afghan people to play sport (£5,580), a Muslim Women Empowerment Project (£18,640) and a drop-in centre for Muslim young people (£11,000).

Association general secretary Kamruz Zaman said the play would spread a vital message.

He said: “This play is as relevant now as ever due to events happening around the world. We want young Muslims in Oxford to know that extremism is not Islam and that they have the choice – no one is forcing them.

“It is a vital message that we have to get out as loudly as we can.”

A Tale of Two Friends tells the story of two childhood friends who dream of being cricketers.

But while one takes up a scholarship at the Cricket Academy of India, the other becomes increasingly frustrated and lonely and falls into religious extremism.

Kawsar Zaman, 21, of Hollow Way, who plays Salman, said “This is my first time acting, so it has been a great experience. Islam and extremism are two of the biggest issues of our era so it is important to send out a positive message.

“There is a lot of community interaction which is very important.”

But some have claimed the cash was not needed and could have sparked angry reactions from right-wing groups.

Fazal Hussain, chairman of Central Mosque in East Oxford, said: “In Oxford there is no problem, so this should have involved all communities and not just singled out Muslims.”

And in March 2010 a Commons investigation concluded the £97m initiative had stigmatised and alienated Muslims and its success was hard to judge.

However, Mr Zaman defended the scheme. He said: “It doesn’t necessarily mean that Oxford has got an extremist problem, but by informing and educating young people we can divert any potential issues.”

The show will be performed at 7.30pm tonight and 6pm on Monday.