Sir, You suggest (report, July 29) that two British Islamic colleges may have links to terrorism.

The Islamic Foundation, which established the Markfield Institute of Higher Education, has been conducting inter-faith dialogue since 1973, and has employed two staff members full time on interfaith work since 1978. The institute has regularly organised conferences on how to create religious pluralism in Britain and Europe and it has published books and articles which suggest means to ensure true integration for Muslims into British national life.

You selectively quote the institute’s director, Khurshid Ahmad, on the subject of the Taleban. He went on to say: “Their policies in regard to economic growth, mass education — particularly of women — and towards other nationalities were defective.”

Your references to Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi did not mention his work on finding solutions to the problems British Muslims face in today’s society with a view to encouraging peaceful integration.

Dr al-Qaradawi has said: “Muslims are urged to hold steadfast to the rope of Allah and show tolerance and acknowledgement to others. However, whenever an issue of contention is debated or discussed, genuine understanding, moderation and selfrestraint should always be practised and implemented.”

Should this message be taught to young Muslims at Islamic colleges in Britain? I hope so, and I have no doubt that the Charity Commission, which has reportedly investigated both colleges, would hope so too.

I hope that Markfield and Dr al-Qaradawi will be allowed to help individual Muslims to practise their faith with peace and respect, in a multicultural Britain.

Yours faithfully,
DONALD STARK,
134b Grosvenor Terrace, SE5 0NL.
July 29.

From Canon Dr Andrew Wingate

Sir, As the main point of contact for the Anglican Church with the Markfield Institute, I do not recognise your description of it.

I am one of a group of Christian clergy who act as advisers to a pioneer chaplaincy course at Markfield for Muslims to work in prisons, hospitals and colleges. The course is exemplary in the way that it is trying to enable Muslim imams and lay people, many young and born in Britain, to work within these institutions.

For four years I have co-convened, with a Muslim academic friend from Markfield, a Muslim-Christian dialogue group in Leicester, which focuses on how we can work together. International issues inevitably arise, and those attending from Markfield condemn terrorism as vehemently as Christians in the group.

The matters you draw attention to have long been known. The Jamaat-e-Islami, of which Markfield’s rector is vice-president, is a legitimate party and part of the Government of Pakistan.

It is sad that a Muslim institute in the forefront of multifaith relationships and the education of the next generation of British Muslims should receive such one-sided headlines.

Yours faithfully,
ANDREW WINGATE
(Adviser on Interfaith Relations, Diocese of Leicester),
23 Roundhill Road,
Leicester LE5 5RJ.
July 30.

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