Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

London blasts

The finding that three terrorists involved in the 7/7 London blasts were of Pakistani origin and two of them visited Pakistan to study religion vindicates New Delhi's stand that Pakistan is the epicentre of global terrorism. Unless the U.S. — self-styled world police — cracks down on the abettors of terrorism, it will strangle world peace. At least now, the nurturing of terrorists in Pakistan must end.

S. Nathan,
Sriharikota, A.P.

* * *

It does not require intelligence or extensive sleuthing to establish that 7/7 marked the arrival of jihad in Britain. The report published in Herald about the renovating of "training facilities" by various terrorist groups flies in the face of official Pakistan's claim of having dismantled terrorist training camps, and its attestation by the Bush administration. The Herald report has been authenticated by the London blasts.

J. Akshobhya,
Mysore

* * *

In the name of religion, a few extremists are spreading misconceptions about Islam. Every Muslim will become suspect in the eyes of the international community if such activities continue unabated. Seen in this light, Tony Blair's statement defending innocent Muslim citizens is very heartening.

Syeda Semim Zahan,
Golaghat, Assam

* * *

Yet another bombing, yet another outrage by Islamist extremists, and once again the failure of the international community to understand that suicide bombers can come from perfectly normal backgrounds. It is time we dispensed with the policy of beating terrorism with state terrorism. Instead, a United Nations committee comprising sociologists, psychologists, economists, religious scholars, and experts in Middle East & South East Asian Studies and terrorism should be formed with a clear-cut mandate to analyse the problem and find solutions.

S.A.R. Adil,
Bangalore

* * *

The article "Insult to deny Iraq link to London attacks" (July 15) was amusing. Does the author really believe that people blow themselves up to make a political statement? Or that a barely literate madrassa student from Lahore or a 19-year-old from Leeds is so politically informed and desperate that he is ready to take his life for what he believes is the cause of Iraqis or Kashmiris?

Jit Dutta,
Los Angeles

* * *

Many articles have appeared in the media saying religious fundamentalism among Muslims is the offshoot of poverty, lack of education, and unemployment. But statistics tell a different story. Most terrorists are from well-to-do families (Tanweer's father owns a fish-and-chips shop in London) and reasonably well educated. The argument is unacceptable.

K. Sethumadhavan,
Hyderabad

* * *

The problem lies in the misinterpretation of Islam. Suicide bombings cannot be the answer to Iraq. There are other ways of protesting.

Yugal Joshi,
New Delhi

* * *

When we say Islam does not support terrorism, one wonders from whom the terrorists draw inspiration. Those sects that preach that there is no need to obey the laws of the land and those who do so are kafirs (non-believers) are behind this menace. This is the right time for all Islamic organisations to raise their voice against such groups and reinforce the image of Islam as tolerant and peace loving.

Ni shad Vellur,
Mangalore

* * *

Unfortunately Islam has become the most misunderstood religion today. Terrorists use it as a cover for their activities. They cause more harm to the religion they claim to defend.

Ershad Mazumder,
Dhaka

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