The wife of Tooting terror suspect Babar Ahmad has warned that the Government is creating a Muslim community which is both disaffected and alienated.

After fighting for her husband through all democratic and legal means, Maryam Ahmad heard last Wednesday that Babar is to be the first British Muslim extradited to the US on terror charges.

"People have seen that despite doing everything, the Government has not listened," said Mrs Ahmad. "It is a very dangerous message they are giving to people."

She confirmed the family will be appealing to the High Court within the next week.

Mr Ahmad, a 31-year-old computer expert from Tooting, has been in custody since August 2004 when he was arrested on a US extradition warrant.

His wife added: "Hopefully the judges will be able to see this is a clear-cut case. We know the truth will out in the end. His resolve is good and we are prepared for the long-haul."

America accuses him of using websites to raise money for terrorist causes and for encouraging Muslims to fight in Chechnya and Afghanistan.

He was arrested previously in December 2003 but released without charge due to insufficient evidence.

The contentious issue is a new extradition treaty between the US and Britain which does not require the US to provide any evidence, even against a British citizen such as Mr Ahmad.

But a Home Office spokesman said: "The Home Secretary has given full consideration to complex representations that have been made on Mr Ahmad's behalf, but is satisfied the conditions for his extradition have been met."

The strength of feeling was clear to see at a protest last Friday organised by students of Imperial College, where Mr Ahmad was an IT worker.

"We are making sure people realise what is going on and that we are angry about this," said Omar Hashmi, a medical student aged 22, involved with protest group Stop Islamophobia.

"We are angry about what is happening to Babar because he is being sent to torture. Human rights and the Geneva Convention have gone out of the window."