CAIRO – Muslim women have unleashed a Twitter storm of sarcasm on British Prime Minister David Cameron over his claims that they are “traditionally submissive” and need English language classes to help stop extremism.

“Actually, my husband runs my Twitter feed because I can’t speak English #TraditionallySubmissive” author Shelina Janmohamed, 41, mocked on Twitter.

“I bought a sports car and published a book (in English and eight other languages). I must be doing this wrong #TraditionallySubmissive,” she added.

The PM’s comments were quoted by the Telegraph last week.

“David knows that the traditional submissiveness of Muslim women is a sensitive issue,” the Telegraph quoted a Government source as saying, “but the problems of young people being attracted by extremism will not be tackled without an element of cultural change within the community.”

The author was one of the people who found the comments frustrating and resolved to respond “in the most British way I could, which was with some sarcasm.”

Their sarcasm gave birth to the hashtag #TraditionallySubmissive when participants began posting about their accomplishments and life experiences.

“@David_Cameron I speak 4 languages, how many do you speak? #TraditionallySubmissive,” Aasiya Versi wrote.

“Columbia grad, BBC journo, Pilates instructor, sport enthusiast and mummy. Yes, Cameron #TraditionallySubmissive,” Zahra Khimji added.

“I and many others have been extremely hurt by David Cameron’s article in The Times earlier this week, specifically (and incorrectly) targeting Muslim women’s apparent inability to speak the English language and loosely linking this to radicalization (multifactorial causes) and Female Genital Mutilation (cultural practice),” Dr Sukaina Hirji wrote publicly on her Facebook page.

The Twitter storm proved Muslim women as diverse with wide range of achievements, taking charge of their lives and their political engagement.

“There was so much energy, it was so vibrant, it was so upbeat, it was so optimistic, it was so funny… they really took their response to the Prime Minister in a really upbeat, positive way that suggests that Muslim women really want to engage with the government,” Janmohamed told Mashable.

With more than 30,000 women engaging in the hashtag, they demanded an apology from Cameron over comments attributed to him.

“Are you sick of being off message @David_Cameron? Man up & apologize to Muslim women. #TraditionallySubmissive,” Yvonne Ridley (“Journalist and author, proud mum, beekeeper”) tweeted.