This is with reference to the Editorial, ‘Dealing with barbarism’ (Aug. 23). That the Islamic State (IS) has recruited hundreds of fighters from other countries is definitely a cause for concern, but what is alarming is that dozens of Indians are also reported to have joined the group. The toxic ideology of the IS cannot be allowed to poison our society any further. For many centuries Iraq and Syria have allowed religious, cultural and ethnic diversity to exist. The Yazidi religion is an ancient one. A tragic fate seems to await the Yazidis and other religious minorities if the world does not intervene to save them. ISIS and its ilk are trying to exterminate an entire minority community. The challenge to our civilisation is to emerge from this barbarism and move towards humanism.
N. Ramakrishna,Michigan
Around the world and especially in the Middle East, over the decades many journalists have been held hostage. At a G8 summit last year it was agreed that ransom payments to kidnappers would be ‘stamped out’, but some European governments seem to continue the practice. Now kidnapping is growing into an industry, especially in the Middle East. The International Red Cross should get involved in this issue.
A. Myilsami,Coimbatore
