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'A lot of what has been hyped up over the last 24 hours does not reflect what I actually said'
First Minister Peter Robinson has said he would never "want to insult or cause distress" to Muslims in Northern Ireland.
The DUP leader said comments he made in support of remarks by a pastor about Muslims were "misinterpreted".
Mr Robinson had told the Irish News on Wednesday he would not trust Muslims involved in violence or devotees of Sharia law.
But he said he would "trust them to go to the shops" for him.
'Ongoing support'However, on Thursday he said his remarks had been "given a meaning that was never intended".
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"For the avoidance of any doubt, I make it clear that I welcome the contribution made by all communities in Northern Ireland, and in the particular circumstances, the Muslim community," he said.
"I very much value their contribution at every level to our society and I will take the opportunity to meet with local Muslim leaders to demonstrate my ongoing support for them as integral law abiding citizens in Northern Ireland."
When asked if he owed the Muslim community in Northern Ireland an apology, Mr Robinson said: "If I said anything that was derogatory, of course I would apologise.
"I've indicated very clearly that I would be hurt if any of them felt that I was showing any disrespect for them or was not supportive of them.
"That's why I want to meet Muslim leaders and assure them that they have my ongoing support."
Mr Robinson's remarks to the Irish News have been widely condemned by the Muslim community across the UK and by many Northern Ireland politicians.
The first minister had told the paper it was a duty of any preacher to denounce what he described as "false prophesy".
He went on to say that he would not trust Muslims either, particularly with regard to those who had been involved in violence, or those who are "fully devoted to Sharia law, I wouldn't trust them for spiritual guidance".
- Sharia law is Islam's legal system
- It acts as a code of conduct for all aspects of a Muslim's life
- It is derived from both the Koran, Islam's central text, and fatwas - the rulings of Islamic scholars
- Sharia literally means "the clear, well-trodden path to water"
- Sharia law acts as a code for living that all Muslims should adhere to, including prayers, fasting and donations to the poor
- However, Sharia differs enormously in its various implementations throughout the Islamic world
However, Mr Robinson said he would trust Muslims to "go down to the shops" for him or to deal with a number of other "day to day issues".
Alliance Party assembly member Anna Lo, who was born in China but has lived in Northern Ireland for 40 years, told BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show she was considering leaving the country after what Mr Robinson had said, as the comments could "escalate even more of the racist tension".
Raied Al-Wazzan, of the Belfast Islamic Centre, said he would accept Mr Robinson's invitation to meet the local Muslim community.
"We welcome his support for the Muslim community, and his statement is a little bit more clear than the last one," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback.
"We also support freedom of speech - everybody has the right to criticise Islam - but we can debate any issue. The point we stand for is that you cannot label all Muslims as untrustworthy, and I hope he can explain that in a better way."
He added: "People are afraid of what's happening here and we need to calm things down."
The initial controversy came about when Pastor James McConnell of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in north Belfast, described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", and said he did not trust Muslims.
Police said they were investigating "a hate crime motive" after complaints about Mr McConnell's remarks.
In his statement on Thursday Mr Robinson said: "I strongly believe that Pastor James McConnell has the right to freedom of speech.
"I will defend his right just as I defend the right of others to express views with which I disagree.
"People have the right to express their differing views and indeed the essence of democracy is the ability to do so in a way that is free from fear and intimidation."
Mr Robinson added: "No part of me would want to insult or cause distress to local Muslims.
"I can assure members of the Islamic community I respect their contribution to our society.
"I believe in building a peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland and have always endeavoured to work for the betterment of all the people of Northern Ireland.
"I look forward to meeting with representatives of the Muslim community as soon as it can be arranged."
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