An in-depth multi-media series looking at the issues affecting Nottingham's Muslim community - in their own words - is being published by the Evening Post.

Six double-page spreads made up of interviews are included in the week-long series, together with a picture special and online coverage with a number of four-minute picture slideshows narrated by the interviewees themselves.

The paper wanted to raise awareness and create debate on the city's 15,000 Muslim community.

It follows months of work by reporter James Smith, who got to know the city's predominantly Pakistani/Kashmiri Muslim community, conducting dozens of interviews to get a true reflection of their lives.

Photographers Matt Alexander and Dominic Lipinski were also given access to the heart of the community to capture pictures rarely seen in the British media.

The stories include that of 17-year-old Alisa Basheer, who was born and bred in Nottingham, but is often assumed to be a foreigner.

When out in public wearing her hijab, many assume she cannot speak English. James's articles reveal others stare and some call her names like "Ninja" or shout "Bomb" at her.

Others featured include Waseem Tariq, who is worried for the future of his younger brothers growing up in an inner-city area deprived of services and plagued by drugs, and Mohammed Yaqub, (86), who moved to Nottingham with £5 in 1959.

James told HoldtheFrontPage he had originally planned to write about young Pakistanis following concerns from contacts about gang culture, but his work had mushroomed into a series.

He said: "It is the result of dozens of interviews, starting with people I already knew from other stories and then them making suggestions about who to speak to.

"The more people I spoke to the more people there were that had something to say.

"I think they were amazed that someone wanted to interview them and that inspired me and I thought there was more than one issue to look at."

Among the issues tackled are media portrayals, British foreign policy, the lack of understanding between community elders and young British Muslims and the changing role of mosques.

All the topics were suggested by people in the Muslim community themselves.

James said: "The hope is that it will be of benefit to the wider community and have a positive effect.

"Maybe it can raise awareness among non-Muslims and create debate.

"Hopefully it might improve the perception of the paper amongst communities within the city too.

"The response we've had so far, both in the Muslim community and outside, is that it's had the desired effect and more."