Avoiding Osama's trap

Sir, - The article ``Avoid Osama's trap'' by Prof. Haykel (Sept. 25) rightly cautions against the U.S. and its Western allies sending their own troops and war materials into Afghanistan. Any act of revenge will trigger retaliation and the vicious cycle will continue. His analysis of jehad according to Islamic law is simple, clear and praiseworthy.

It will be interesting to note that in the Eighties, America opposed the Rabbani regime in Kabul which was supported by the Soviet Union and took the side of the Taliban, conceived and nurtured by it.

R. Sundara Raman,

Chennai

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Sir, - The article by Prof. Haykel comes at the right moment. His analysis of the law of jehad is highly commendable. At this point of time what the world needs is a judicious interpretation of Islam, which like all other religions professes peace.

Fundamentalist voices no matter which religion they choose to misrepresent must be stifled. In this millennium, the world must look at religion as a cohesive force rather than a divisive one.

B.T. Saraswathi,

Mysore

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