Somebody Save Islam

I agree with the "root causes" theory to a degree. Rage and hatred for the West, especially the United States, ensures Al Qaeda a steady stream of recruits prepared to blow themselves up. A recent cia report frankly admitted that Iraq had become a vast recruiting ground for Mr bin Laden, not just Iraq alone but a swathe stretching from Indonesia to Algeria.

Nevertheless, what one would dearly like to see is more Muslim countries and more Muslim voices unequivocally confronting bin Laden ideologically. We are constantly reminded that the overwhelming majority of Muslims find the Islam propagated by bin Laden repugnant; Islam's reputation as a strict but tolerant faith has been badly damaged by this "medieval savage". If there is a backlash against innocent Muslims in Britain, who is to blame? It is only when traditional Islam defeats this pernicious variant that Mr bin Laden can be isolated. Sadly, those moderate voices are few and far between. The argument that Al Qaeda is not a Muslim but a global problem will not wash because Mr bin Laden is not giving Christians or Hindus or Jews a bad name, but Muslims.

While on the subject, let me confess I am greatly disappointed that more Muslims in India did not speak out against the Imrana fatwa issued by the "wise men" of Deoband.