A sultry pop singer dubbed the "Muslim Madonna" is facing the wrath of religious fundamentalists after releasing a sexy video for her first British single.

Deeyah, 27, has become the target of violent threats from members of the Muslim community offended by her glamorous image. Her video is reportedly being shown on Indian channels.

The singer, of mixed Pakistani, Afghan and Persian descent, has received intimidating phone calls, aggressive emails and verbal threats from Asian youths warning her to "tone down and cover up".

But Deeyah has vowed to defy them all in her attempts to carve out a pop career.

She said: "It is not going to make me go away. This is such a liberal, multicultural country and I never thought my background could become such an issue to some people.

"It does scare me but it also angers me and encourages me not to give up, and my parents encourage me.

"I do not flaunt my religious background, I never sing about it and compared to other pop stars I am not particularly risqué."

When Deeyah did a tour of junior schools, including some Muslim schools in Bradford, her performances provoked several boys to leave the room and fights broke out as tensions rose among the students.

Since then, her sexy, urban style has divided young Muslims.

She said: "Over the past few months my single has been played on Indian cable channels and I have started to get recognised. That's when the threats began. I had to change my phone number and I am always wary about where I can go on my own."

Deeyah grew up in Norway and says she had problems there too.

"I released two albums and was spat at in the street and threatened at school. In the end, it was one of the main reasons why I left Norway and moved to Britain. All I am doing is expressing myself," she said.