Madam, - Richard Whelan (Rite and Reason, January 16th) argues that it is an error to believe the Muslim world supports al-Qaeda.
It is unfortunate that Mr Whelan does not refer to the opinion poll statistics quoted recently by Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, January 13th) which indicate that approximately 60 per cent of British Muslims would support the introduction of Sharia law, approximately 40 per cent would be supportive of al-Qaeda and approximately 28 per cent supported the actions taken by al-Qaeda on September 11th, 2001.
Even if these figures are wildly incorrect and were to be halved, they are a matter of serious concern.
No doubt Irish citizens are highly supportive of their Muslim friends and colleagues on an individual basis but we must ask whether we desire an increased influx of a culture a substantial portion of which would appear to be potentially hostile to our own.
Having rid ourselves of the fundamentalist practices of one religion, why should we wish to reintroduce to this country a similarly fundamentalist ideology which, in keeping with its predecessor, may seek to assert its right to influence the Government of this country?
If Australian press reports are accurate in relation to the recent rioting it was at least in part generated by a sector of the Muslim community laying down dictates as to the type of beach wear which must be worn by Australians on their beaches.
The late Bishop Brown in Galway some 50 years ago was renowned for this type of home-grown Sharia law. Let us not allow it to be reintroduced. - Yours, etc,
KEN BYRNE, Rathmichael, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Richard Whelan (Rite & Reason, January 16th) is correct to say that "the true tolerant nature of Islam is not appreciated in much of the West". However, this does not mean Islam and every other mainstream religion can ignore its responsibility for fundamentalism.
It has been said that God didn't exist until people had the idea of God. The same faith-based thought process that allows people to be part of a moderate religion is used by terrorists to justify their actions. It is this thought process that must be corrected. - Yours, etc,
CIARÁN FARRELL, Bray, Co Wicklow.