Letters to the Editor

SIR - To be greeted by armed police at Leeds railway station as I stepped off the train brought home the reality of the London bombings.

This was not a disaster that had taken place in the distant confines of the capital. Somehow, inexplicably, it had arrived on my doorstep.

As one commentator said: "This is every British Muslim's worst nightmare". This could not have been closer to the mark. It is a nightmare which is likely to last for some time yet as the community in which we live struggles to come to terms with the knowledge that it is has spawned youth capable of such mindless action.

There can be no justification for sheer, indiscriminate criminality - Islamic or otherwise. The perpetrators should feel the full weight of the law, regardless of their religion or background.

At the same time things should be kept in perspective. The vast majority of Muslims are law-abiding citizens with no inclination towards harming their neighbours or communities.

The challenges facing the 'home-grown' Muslim community are considerable. There is no doubt the events of 7/7 represent a turning point for Islam in Britain and one can only but wonder what will happen next.

Masood Chowdhury, Director IslamBradford, Manningham Lane, Bradford.

Our full support

SIR - The Guru Gobind Singh Gurudwara Bradford Management Committee and Sadh Sangat condemns the direct attack on civilians in London City.

We the Sikh community from Bradford truly support the British public by offering sympathy. We fully support attempts to bring the criminals to justice.

We appreciate the emergency services for the quick response to the incident and their careful and brave handling of the situation.

We would like to extend our sympathy to the people who were injured and lost their lives and to their families and friends.

We would feel obliged, if we can, to offer any kind of help to the British community.

B S Javanda (general secretary), Guru Gobind Singh Gurudwara, Leeds Road, Bradford.

Paying the price

SIR - The recent terrorist attacks on London come as no surprise to me. It has been on the cards since April 2003 when Tony Blair, with his best pal George W Bush, decided to go on some sort of crusade to save the world from Iraq which in actual fact was only a threat to America's oil interests.

Mr Blair has never been able to see America's underlying intentions and self-centred motives. Therefore Bush and Blair's war on terror is in truth false and based on a lie.

The sad fact in all this is neither Bush nor Blair will ever see they have made a horrendous mistake by attacking Iraq in the first place.

They should remember an old saying, "never trouble trouble unless trouble troubles you".

They have sadly and innocent people have paid a heavy price.

R Halliday, Crag Road, Shipley.

A time for prayer

SIR - The last few years have been a turbulent time for Pakistan. The various political and military upheavals, the persecution of Christians, and honour and sectarian killings have combined to weaken the nation's stability, security and unity and strengthen the extremist, religious groups and terrorists within the country.

The strict implementation of the Sharait, Hudood and blasphemy laws would make life even more difficult and dangerous for millions of minorities especially Christians.

That will set a dangerous precedent for increasing rapid Islamisation.

In the event of social collapse, the most likely result would be the emergence of the Taliban-style regime, devastating the millions of Christians in Pakistan.

We the Pakistan Asian Christians Welfare Association and various leaders of other UK organisations are inviting the people of other faiths to join in a day of prayers on Sunday (July 17). The Archdeacon of Bradford will be leading prayers at St Mary's Church, Wyke.

The Reverend Canon George Moffat, team rector, and the Rev Canon Andrew John, team vicar of St Paul's Church, Manningham, and executive officer of Inner Ring Group of Bradford Churches, will be praying with the Asian Christian Community from the North and West Yorkshire at St Paul's Church from 4pm to 6pm.

Jim G Dutt, chairman of Pakistan Asian Christian Welfare Organisation Bradford, Armidale Way, Bradford.

Generous donor

SIR - I would like to thank the anonymous person who this week so kindly donated £1,000 to our work.

This money will be used to help provide our service to people suffering as the result of crime throughout the Metropolitan District.

Victim Support services are provided by a team of highly-trained volunteers from all areas and communities of the city who work with those who have found themselves the victims of crimes ranging from theft, right through to murder, and they do a truly fantastic job.

So thank you, kind donor, you can be sure that your generosity is greatly appreciated, and will be used wisely.

Patricia M White, deputy manager, Victim Support Bradford District, Park View Court, St Paul's Road, Shipley.

Back to Poland...

SIR - Among all the anniversaries being commemorated in connection with the end of the Second World War, it should not be forgotten that 2006 is the 60th anniversary of the release of hundreds of thousands of prisoners of war.

They had a very different war from most, and many suffered considerably. I became more aware of the experiences of prisoners of war through an old friend of mine who was imprisoned in Stalag 8B (later know as Stalag 344) at Lamsdorf in Poland, one of the largest camps, holding around 40,000 allied prisoners.

I have now made contact with a number of other former prisoners and have heard many amazing stories.

In September I am taking a group of these men and relatives back to Poland to visit the site of Stalag 8B, where there is now a museum.

In Krakow, where around 500 of the British prisoners who died in captivity are buried, we will hold a service to remember them - and all who were prisoners of war.

If any former prisoners or their relatives would like to join us, please get in touch with me.

Philip Baker, 10 Brassey Avenue, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 2DS

Dry land receding

SIR - I read the article on global warming (T&A, July 1) and considered the conditions understated. The review at the bottom was more precise.

Experts report the melting of the icecaps and glaciers in the Arctic - when these have gone they cannot be put back. This is irreversible.

Because of this the oceans will rise some metres and degrees in temperature. This is irreversible. Even the Himalayas are being affected with melting snows and ice causing floods.

The battle against global warming should be put on a war footing - public transport should be mandatory and freight put on to trains where possible. It is pathetic to rely on emission controls.

I commend the Bradford plan headed by Glen Miller but once the floods come they are here to stay.

Apart from Greenpeace none of the mainstream parties seem interested - instead they are arguing about the EU. When it comes we shall all be asylum seekers scrambling for bits of dry land.

Bernard Whittaker, Scott Lane West, Riddlesden.

Sugar truths

SIR - The letter 'Unfair for Some' (T&A, June 30) states that Tate & Lyle received £120 million in subsidies last year but does not proceed to explain that the actual recipients of these 'subsidies' are African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and Least Developed (LDC) countries.

These suppliers currently receive £250m to £300m more for their sugar than would otherwise be the case because Tate & Lyle is required to buy this sugar from them at the EU-established price which is some three times the world market price.

The subsidy that we receive (£127m from the Rural Payments Authority) is a part of this extra income.

Contrary to the statement in the published letter, Tate & Lyle is not the recipient of this money.

Because of the bridge we provide for their sugar, some of the world's poorer economies benefited from receiving by selling their product on the world market, benefits which are vital in sustaining their economies and employment.

Robert Gibber, company secretary and general counsel, Tate & Lyle, Lower Thomas Street, London.