Professor Martin Shaw's assessment of terrorism was highly selective (Letters, September 14).

Islamic ideologically is opposed to the West and the Koran has the potential to encourage anti-Western, anti-Christian and anti-Jewish behaviour in Muslims everywhere.

The Koran is available in English and will provide readers with an understanding of how the types of acts we witnessed in the US can be made possible.

Muslim religious schools produce thousands of young "warriors" each year, brainwashed for jihad (holy war). Jihad is to expand the influence of Islam and to defeat the "non-believers", namely everyone who is not Muslim.

Many of the Taliban are products of these schools. Various Islamic countries, supposedly allies of the West, such as Saudi Arabia, plus virtually eveny mosque in the world, provide the funds to train and support these "warriors".

The Israel-Palestine conflict is a really a side-issue but is also part of worldwide Islamic jihad. The area of Israel is microscopic when compared to Arab lands. The military might of Israel is also dwarfed by that of the Arab League, a confederation of 22 states violently opposed to Israel's existence.

Until issues such as the above are addressed, the democratic nations of the world will continue to suffer the dark side of Islam.

Being British-born, from a family of Arabic origin, I am well aware of the above problems and issues.

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