MESSRS Winstanley and McStravick both seem to have missed one vital point in their HAS comments about Islamic terrorism and jihad, and that is that a military jihad can only be sanctioned by a Koranic scholar of great repute and character. So far as I am aware, no such scholar has called for a jihad against the West.

I believe that the vast majority of Muslims are appalled by the actions of the few of their so-called fellows such as Osama bin Laden, not a scholar and of no repute whatsoever, and Hamas, which models itself on the Nazi party (many Palestinians served in the German army's foreign SS legion during the Second World War gaining a reputation for unbelievable brutality).

Lastly, I would urge anyone who has doubts about Islam to read the Koran and discover that it presents no threat to anyone anywhere, and to blame such a fine, decent religion for the world's ills is tantamount to blaming Christianity for the actions of criminals in the Western world.

Every country and society on Earth has its share of lowlife and undesirables. Islamic countries are no exception.

B Kidd, Stockton.