I’m a Muslim, and I condemn the un-Islamic attack on Salman Rushdie

As a British Muslim, I condemn the attack on Salman Rushdie. Whilst I disagree with his views, violence against those we disagree with is not permitted within Islam.

Islam recognises the right of freedom of conscience and freedom of belief and that as far as one’s religious belief is concerned, one is answerable to God alone. No man has the right to punish another for his choice of belief.

While some claim that Rushdie is an apostate, for which the punishment is death, there is no such punishment for apostasy prescribed in the Holy Quran.

Similarly, there is no punishment for blasphemy. The Prophet Muhammad was maligned and insulted by his contemporaries, yet he treated them with compassion.

I hope that governments and the media can focus their efforts to combat ideological extremism at its core rather than blame a particular religion or group for the actions of a few.

Salim Ullah

Hampshire

During the Partygate scandal, Boris Johnson was often quoted as saying he was too busy to answer questions because he was running the country,  and dealing with Covid and the war in Ukraine. 

Now we have the energy crisis added on. So he and his chancellor swan off on holiday, saying no decisions can be taken until the totally unnecessarily drawn-out process of selecting a new leader is decided.

Meanwhile, Tory ministers and wannabees are concentrating their efforts on securing their own futures by expressing undying loyalty to whichever candidate they think will win.

G Forward

Stirling

The capitalist pendulum has been swinging to the right for way too long now.  Let us hope and pray that soon it makes its way back towards the centre and towards some kind of semblance of normality.

We cannot persist with prevaricating politicians, excessive corporate profits, the constant back-turning on the climate crisis and the complete and utter disrespect for the poorest in our society. 

A few suggestions to get us moving in the right direction:

Oh and how about proportional representation? This pendulum has a long way to go before it begins to fall.

Paul Morrison

Glasgow

The West is rejoicing in Ukraine’s resilience in fighting Russia’s incursion, and supplying ever more sophisticated and longer-range weapon systems. And with that, now threatening Russia proper.

To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment, sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here

There is no mention of, nor any interest in, holding any negotiations or any dialogue whatsoever in order to resolve the conflict.

The question our “leaders” may consider of interest to ask is a simple one. At what point will Russia see itself cornered with no alternative but to go nuclear, if only tactically to start with?

Autumn and winter will be approaching soon, forcing Russian land forces to become immobile. Being immobile, they’ll become easy sitting targets for Western-supplied weapons systems. Then what? A cornered dog will eventually go for the throat to defend itself.

Gunter Straub

London