I felt compelled to write to you after reading an article on the BBC website today regarding various polls that have been done within the Muslim community.
The article stated 2 things in particular:
1, Commonly Muslims do not believe Al Queda is responsible for September 11th!
2, "A poll carried out for the BBC found that the majority of Muslims in Britain believe the war on terror is a thinly veiled war on Islam".
Please I wonder if the Muslim community in the UK that participated in these poles and formed these opinions, has ever been outside of the UK, or watches the BBC news?
Personally I travel a lot, I no longer live in the UK, and have always found the BBC news to be the most accurate of all and always comes across unbiased.
I consider myself open minded and an equal to all races and religions. But find it very hard to believe how or why a Muslim community in the UK or any where in the world would believe Al Queada were not responsible, and quite sickening.
This led me to your website which on the surface of things seems more in touch with reality so far. But I must add I've only given it a cursory glance.
If we want everyone to live together in the UK in harmony, respecting one another, the respect has to be in both directions.
The 2nd point from above, left me equally in dismay. There is a war on TERRORISM, the people that take part in TERRORIST acts are TERRORISTS. Now if they are male, female, black, white, Christian, Hindu, Muslim etc they are still TERRORISTS. There is a war on TERRORISM not Islam. Some of the Terrorists may be fighting against the US in the name of Islam, and I would imagine you would find this equally offensive, for which I would agree.
I guess what I'm trying to say is please do not add to the propaganda war. You are in a responsible position in the UK and I imagine educated to know better on these subjects. Please educate the community, and ask them to put trust in the UK government and society. We have something special in the UK lets keep it that way!
From my travels around the world, I believe that the UK is probably one of the most liberated countries in the world. Please make efforts in the Muslim community to re-address the balance and ensure the community gets the big picture!
Britain is a beautiful liberated country, I would like to think it will still be like that when I return one day.
Thanks for your time. Any comments will be entertained with an open mind.

Yours Sincerely

I was pleased to read your press release on the MCB website warning Tony Blair of the consequences of war with Iraq, and also to see that the Gaurdian reported some of the views expressed (14/1/03 - British Muslims warn of 'conflict for generations') . I share the sentiments expressed in the press release and I appreciate your efforts in trying to get my voice heard. Jazak'Allah.

Yours sincerely,

I actually read the Standard editorial and it is extremely cynical in putting the onus on British muslims to constantly defend themselves against these allegations as if we are all guilty and have to prove our innocence,everytime there is such an incident. The innocent until proven guilty maxim obviously does not apply to us.It is as if the whole country has become one giant courtroom and muslims have been summarily accused, tried and been found guilty all in one swoop.
It is heartening to know that at least there was a great response on behalf of muslims to the Daily Telegraph.

With Duuas and Salams