A leading member of Swindon's Islamic community, fears that Al-Qaeda extremists are tarnishing the reputation of Britain's law-abiding MuslimsTHE Muslim community in Swindon would wholeheartedly condemn any form of terrorism and violence.

The acts of terrorism that have been carried out in the name of Islam have nothing to do with religion.

Just as IRA killings were never called Catholic terrorism then the majority of the Muslim people would feel the same about Al-Qaeda violence that it has nothing to do with them. Many feel that Al-Qaeda has hijacked Islam.

The IRA was called Irish nationalism, carried out because of territory disputes and politics.

The motivation of Al-Qaeda is the same over the question of Palestine.

The international community has had double standards over this issue.

Terror has been rained upon the West Bank and Gaza Strip's civilian population.

Furthermore Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon publicly congratulates the perpetrators of such a crime.

This state terrorism has been give moral approval by the rest of the world, particularly America.

And anyway, who has the most weapons of mass destruction in the world by far?

Who has killed more people in this world with weapons of mass destruction than any other nation?

The answer: the United States.

Some Muslims may be alienated and feel sympathy with the cause of Al-Qaeda because of Palestine even if they do not agree with the violence and killing.

But Muslims in this country who support this cause are a small minority, just like the number of racists is a small minority.

The majority like the Swindon Muslim community are law abiding and peaceful.

We are British Muslims because we have been living in this country for decades.

Our religion tells us to abide with the law of land and only to break it in extreme cases if we are forced do something against our beliefs this has happened in certain communist countries but in Britain we are free to practice our religion.

The police recently sent a letter to every mosque in the country asking for leaders to help in fighting terrorism. Peace-loving Muslims will be on the side of the authorities.

Thirty years of bombing and killing of innocent people in Ireland and the English mainland has never been called Christian terrorism and the Tamil Tigers have never been referred to as Buddhist terrorists.

But the term Islamic terrorism is used all the time.

Islam does not preach violence and Muslims are not all terrorists.

But the small minority who support terrorism only do so because of the international situation and this needs to be resolved.

An all-out assassination spree like the recent killing of Palestinian spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin will not bring peace.

Peace can only be achieved through justice and equality, and by allowing other people a dignified co-existence.

If we follow the eye for an eye theory then there is no end and eventually the whole world will become blind.

Let us take guidance from the divine teachings of forgiveness.

Therefore someone has got to take the lead in the Palestine situation.

Mutual understanding can be achieved only through dialogue, not by revenge or targeted killing.

N KHAN

Swindon