Sir, It was with a heavy heart that I read the article by Amir Taheri (“Beards and scarves aren’t Muslim. They’re simply adverts for al-Qaeda”, Comment, July 27) while travelling on the morning Tube, with most passengers avoiding sitting next to me, and having had my bag searched (something I gladly accept as part of our need to defeat the evil of terrorism). Mr Taheri suggests that Muslims should “compete in the global market place of faiths through normal channels”.

My father dated a Christian woman in Britain for eight years before he married my Muslim mother. He spent 30 years here as an architect, and his buildings were not designed for only one faith. My mother taught English in London to Muslims, Christians and Jews. My grandfather, who sported one of Mr Taheri’s “al-Qaeda” beards all his life, would be shocked to discover that he was an “advert for al-Qaeda” after rising to the rank of brigadier in the British Indian Army and fighting the evil of Nazism in the Western Desert. I myself spent several years in the reserve forces.

Great Britain has provided sanctuary, prosperity and comfort to the Muslims who have come to these shores. Britain has allowed us openly to display true Islamic values with pride. If Mr Taheri looks hard enough he will see beards and hijabs in hospitals, schools and the Armed Forces. They have no political movement, just their faith.

YASSER HUSSAIN
Edgware, Middlesex

From Mr Jonathan Marshall

Sir, Amir Taheri claims that black is the colour of al-Qaeda and white is the colour of the Taleban. How can a small group of fanatics appropriate a colour? In answering the call of the war against terrorism are we to attack all Muslim women wearing the headscarf and all Muslim men wearing a beard?

The vast majority of Muslims believe that the covering of the head and the wearing of a beard are religious obligations. Many of these same pious women and men have been loud in condemnation of the terrorist attacks, and indeed victims of them.

It is important now more than ever for the media to clearly distinguish between the fanatics and terrorists who carried out the London bombings and ordinary Muslims who have contributed so much to our society. If we fail to do this we face the real possibility of a terrible spiral of violence and bloodshed.

JONATHAN MARSHALL
jonathan@ummah.org

From Ms Shabnam Mohammad

Sir, As a British Muslim professional woman who works in investment banking, I was not aware that black was the chosen colour of al-Qaeda. Many City workers wear black suits. A hijab (head scarf) is one of the components of my clothing, but a green scarf (as Mr Taheri suggests) wouldn’t really go that well with my black suit. It really is as simple as that.

I think we need to stand back and take things into perspective here. We are all, especially us Londoners, deeply disturbed by the bomb attacks. In addition to my fear every time my train stops in a tunnel, I have to deal with people staring suspiciously and flinching at the slightest move I make. Instead of taking offence I make an extra effort to be conscious of my behaviour so that people do not feel uncomfortable. The current environment is very tense and we should all be doing whatever we can to help reduce this tension.

SHABNAM MOHAMMAD
Staines, Middlesex

From Mr Samuel Blanning

Sir, While Amir Taheri makes a good argument on some very controversial points, I fear that few Muslims will be enticed to “compete in the global market place of faiths”, which conjures up images of imams competing with priests and rabbis to offer more milk and honey than their competitors, better deals for converts and lower tithes.

Religion is, of course, the ultimate brand, but I imagine that many Muslims see faith as a higher calling than selling fish.

SAMUEL BLANNING
Ocean Village, Southampton

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