Eid Mubarak to all those honouring the end of the holy month of Ramadan and celebrating Eid this weekend. However, as well as the discipline and reflection that takes place across the world during Ramadan, the past few months have also shown some of the tragic outcomes of violence, which is often linked to individuals or groups of extremists who purport to be Muslims. We must do all we can to prevent such atrocities, bringing to justice those who commit them and those planning to commit them.

Yet we must not confuse the extremist violence of a tiny minority with the teachings of a great faith and the values of a peaceful majority. We must not allow these events to cause the division and fear that can further feed the dangerous narrative of religious conflict. Democratic participation and a vibrant public life, in which all can participate, are our strongest defences against this very real danger.

It is this desire to see civil society remain a strong and united force within the UK that has encouraged me to chair Citizens UK Commission on Islam, Participation and Public Life. It’s a concern that at a time when Islam is being used as a weapon of fear and extremism, we hear reports that many of the overwhelming majority of British Muslims, who condemn the actions of groups such as Islamic State, fear speaking out and taking public action because they believe that whatever they do or say will always be misrepresented.

As an MP, I meet a vast range of people, but what I hope being a commissioner will allow me to do is get beyond the polite conversations we often have. Citizens UK has a 25-year record of tackling challenging situations, building diverse civil society alliances and supporting people to tell their stories. Often these testimonies are uncomfortable to listen to, but they are truthful and representative. I am keen to be a part of these conversations. The charitable purpose of Citizens UK is to “develop the capacity and skills of socially and economically disadvantaged communities so members are better able to identify and help meet their own needs; improve their neighbourhood; and participate more fully in society”. It’s clear we must act to ensure UK Muslim communities don’t become alienated because of the actions of a few, and that they, working in partnership with other civil society groups, can play their role in democratic citizenship.

On 6 July, I and a group of fellow commissioners met three young people who travelled from Leeds to London as peace ambassadors. They were from a youth group that joined Leeds Citizens, an alliance of Citizens UK launched on 7 July at an assembly of more than 700 people from 27 institutions. They retraced the journey taken by the 7 July bombers in 2005. They arrived in London on 5 July, laid wreaths at the memorials for those who died in the atrocities of 7/7, then travelled to Finchley Reform synagogue and Alyth synagogue in Barnet. These brave and eloquent young people came to pay their respects, remembering especially the life of Miriam Hyman who was killed in the attack.

We commissioners are a diverse group; on different sides of the political fence, from different faiths, from business, politics, academia, the media and military. We will be supported by a youth leadership group from Citizens UK, education and youth institutions and a Muslim leadership group, which will include leaders from across British Muslim communities. What connects us is a sense of pride in the UK and a belief in the power and benefits that strong, united communities can have for all British citizens. The process and the outcomes of the commission are important. We need to understand why there is a void of participation in public life from the Muslim community and why it is a growing issue, and we need to understand the impact of this on wider civil society. The outcome of this commission cannot simply be a report that makes headlines for a day before gathering dust. We will develop a clear list of recommendations and a timetable of implementation. Without prejudging the process, I believe some will require direct action by the government, but many, we hope, will be deliverable by the business community and civil society itself across the UK. This is primarily a commission initiated by civil society and we will report to civil society. It’s an ambitious process and intent, but one that is much needed and which I trust will be beneficial for us all.

Former attorney general Dominic Grieve is MP for Beaconsfield. The Citizens Commission on Islam, Participation and Public Life will launch on 10 September. The first public hearings will be in London on 26 October and Cardiff on 11 November. Next year, the commission will visit towns and cities including Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle.