WHAT a pleasure it was to read the two-page centre spread by Stephen Lewis (The Press, November 18) regarding the Muslim community in York and the Bull Lane Mosque.

It was a total delight to read about the positive aspects of the ethnic population in this city. The vast majority of the Muslim population are very kind, polite and friendly.

I used to be the Labour Party ethnic minorities officer and as a city councillor at the time, some 20 to 25 years ago, I visited the mosque on several occasions and always found it a thoroughly joyous and pleasant experience, and the Muslim community very warm and welcoming.

I am still available to their community to put across their views if they require me to do so and to assist them in any way I can.

What is concerning, however, is the number of assaults on the ethnic community (whether physical, verbal or any other manner) that are increasing through York and the country, mainly through ignorance.

Stephen Lewis rightly highlighted the great aspects of the Muslim community that should be credited via the media on more occasions.

Howard Perry, Dringhouses, York

 

FOLLOWING the terrible terrorist attacks in Paris, I wonder why we continue to call those people Muslim terrorists.

The majority of Muslims say terrorism and ISis do not represent Islam. Thus, is it not time for the leading imams, particularly in Saudi Arabia, to excommunicate IS or put a fatwah on them for being un-Islamic?

Perhaps it would be better to call IS haram terrorists (prohibited terrorists), and not insult Islam by calling them Muslim terrorists.

Richard Thompson, York

 

IN this world of fear, killings and terrorism, it is good to read an article in The Press (November 24) about young people of different faiths getting together.

They were planting trees but they would be also talking to each other and realising that people only want to get on with their lives and live in peace with each other.

Maybe like some lines from a hymn by Fred Kaan we will see “all that kills abundant living, let it from the earth be banned, Prided of status, race or schooling, Dogmas that obscure your plan, In our common quest for justice may we hallow life’s brief span,” will happen.

Maureen Robinson, Broadway,York

 

I AM and always shall be a man of peace, but not peace at any price because peace at any price means enslavement. Islamic State need wiping out because they are evil and cruel. If they got a foothold, they would take us back to the dark ages.

They are a gang of thugs, but they don’t scare us, nor do they scare France or Belgium or any other country that enjoys its way of life like we do.

They will never destroy our spirit. We will grow stronger and win.

Robert Greaves, Alder Way, New Earswick, York

 

PHILLIP ROE writes of bombing IS as if it were a nation state like Germany or Japan with a capital, Raqqa, to be bombed (Letters, November 24).

Raqqa is just a regional Syrian town currently occupied by a militant sect which has undercover members and organisers in countries throughout the world.

Bombing it would certainly destroy buildings and kill trapped civilians. It might cause the sect to relocate its headquarters to another war-torn country.

What it would not do is stop the resentment and hatred that drives the followers of IS to launch terrorist attacks against the population of any nation they perceive to be an enemy.

It is beyond belief that the statesmen of nations fearing attacks by IS have no understanding whatsoever of what it is that drives some of their own nationals to become IS terrorists, and can think of no action to counter it beyond armed involvement in foreign civil wars.

Maurice Vassie, Deighton, York

 

WALKING along Coney Street earlier this week, I was moved and gladdened to notice a venerable French flag bearing the Cross of Lorraine proudly fluttering at half-mast above the Mansion House. Whoever was responsible – thank you.

Unfortunately, my attempts to capture this visual gesture of sympathy, solidarity and support using my phone failed, but maybe some of more proficient readers were successful in capturing this poignant image?

Derek Reed, Middlethorpe Drive, York