Much has been spoken of the Koran and the prophet Muhammad over the past two weeks but, curiously, I have seen no direct quotation.

To rectify this I refer readers to Christ In Islam And Christianity by Neal Robinson (Macmillian, 1991), which I discovered in the University of Sussex's library.

His translation and commentary of sura 4:157 is particularly noteworthy: "And for their saying 'We indeed killed the Messiah, Jesus Son of Mary, God's messenger.' They did not kill him and they did not crucify him but a semblance was made to them."

Evidently, this passage is usually held to mean it was not Jesus who was crucified but a person who was made to resemble him. Furthermore, sura 4:171 mocks the Trinity and, specifically, the Christian faith in the Son.

I came out of the library so thankful for freedom in the Holy Spirit. We must pray for peace between Christians and Muslims but the paths are poles apart and forever irreconcilable. I choose life and Christ every time.

-William Fraser, Summerheath Road, Hailsham