IF, as Saira Khan says, integration, integration, integration is her constant refrain, then why do we need a minister for “Muslim affairs” (Go and live in Saudi Arabia, mad mullahs, News Review, last week)? She feels that as a modern British Asian woman she is not represented in government. Surely everyone is through their MP.

Why not give someone a portfolio for Hindu, Sikh or pagan affairs? Both my sisters have done well without asking for special representation. I am sure she, and others like her, can bring about the changes within the Muslim community by being good role models without getting taxpayers involved.

Surendra Andar
Stanmore, Middlesex

ENEMY WITHIN: Thumbs up to Khan for her courage to speak out against the so-called leaders who claim to speak on behalf of us Muslims. They are living in a feudal world and are completely out of touch with the majority here. It is time to say enough is enough before the unique fabric of this multicultural society is destroyed by the enemies within.

N. Aftab
London NW8

HOLY CRUSADE: Khan misses the point. The mullahs see it as their mission to spread Islam among the unbelievers and some believe they will achieve martyrdom in their attempts to achieve it. Christian crusaders and missionaries had the same aim under a different banner.

Mike Williams
Dummer, Hampshire

THE LAW ON TERROR: What a relief Simon Jenkins has spoken out about the cack-handed way Bush and Blair have attempted to fight the “war on terror” and have stimulated the public’s fear of terrorism to bring in restrictive legislation (Comment, last week).

I also read (World News) that the US has held a secret two-day meeting with Fatah in Texas to discuss how to sideline Hamas. It is understandable that the US and Israel have difficulties of principle in working with Hamas, but continuing to work with Fatah, so soundly defeated in the election, is surely as cack-handed as it gets and will be counterproductive.

Dr Mike Barnes
Watford, Hertfordshire

MENACE: We should support whatever is required to fight terrorism; the alternative is not worth contemplating. Britain is slowly waking up to the fact that there are hundreds of Muslims living in this country who are sympathetic to Osama Bin Laden. I am not a warmonger, but we face a new world threat. Thankfully we have two world leaders who recognise this.

Nigel Cross
Great Cheverell, Wiltshire

LEADERSHIP ISSUES: Congratulations to Jenkins. The greater threat to democracy is, as he points out, not Bin Laden, but opportunistic political leaders and apathy. The media has a huge role to play in countering the politics of paranoia.

Alex Mills
Gonville & Caius College
Cambridge