Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Madrasa and terror

William Dalrymple may be right in saying that madrasa education cannot produce technically literate terrorists like those involved in the 9/11 and 7/7 attacks ("No madrasa link to London attacks," July 21). But it is the kind of fundamentalism preached in these seminaries and their hardline radical approach to Islam that eventually lead to the creation of a group that can be used in jihadi warfare. Youngsters taught here may not be capable of chalking out a strategy or even understanding the policies they oppose. But they act as puppets in the hands of their masters. It is this kind of brainwashing that needs to be checked.

Vaishali Rao,
Mysore

The suggestion in the article "Lessons for Muslims from London bombings" (July 19) that Muslims should read the Koran in their own language to avoid being influenced by misinterpretations was excellent. The translation of and an authentic commentary on the Koran are available in almost all the popular languages of the world. But it is the responsibility of individual Muslims to spare time to understand the teachings, instead of just listening to discourses by mullahs. Unless they make the effort, translated works will not help much.

Mohammed Abdul Hai Zahid,
Roorkee, Uttaranchal

It appears the author has confined the entire Islamic world to a few pockets of Muslim community in Leeds. Planting bombs in common places, killing civilians, abducting innocent people, etc., are unheard of in the history of Islamic holy wars. The observation that people recite the Koran without understanding its meaning is far from true, as commentaries are available in all local languages.

K.A.S. Ali,
Chennai

Terrorism thrives not because it has the support of the masses but because the projected cause has their tacit approval. A majority of Hindus were horrified at the demolition of the Babri Masjid but not all of them considered the kar sevaks who demolished it anti-social or anti-national. They somehow rationalised it as an act of retaliation. Similarly, Muslims feel they are being targeted and this may prevent them from isolating those who are supposedly fighting their cause. Muslims in London have made a good beginning by denouncing the terrorists.

S. Rajagopalan,
Chennai

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