On Islam

The statement that the Islamic mindset remains awkwardly out of step with historical progress and therefore with modern times is a painful fact (“ >Islam and its interpretations ,” Sept. 30). It is even more painful that Islam, a religion which preaches tolerance and coexistence, has unfortunately become synonymous with hate and intolerance. Every religion has its quota of evils. With changing times, it should undergo a process of self-purification. Hinduism fought social evils such as restrictions on temple entry, child marriage, sati and untouchability. Similarly, Islam has to ward off evils. Progressive personalities in the community can lead the way in this.

V.R. Krishnan,

Chennai

The writer’s analysis was searingly honest and his courage to take the bull by the horns is commendable, especially in a matter of faith, where emotions coloured by the identity hubris often take the forefront. If adherents and think-tanks of all faiths chose to follow truth in a dispassionate manner, much of the misunderstandings and violence will perhaps be averted.

Philip Malayil,

Bangalore

The writer’s arguments are a bit ambiguous. Talibanisation and forms of extremism such as the rise of the IS have no legitimate backing. The only point where one is in agreement with him is that Islamic scholars have much work to do in helping clear the false propaganda that prevails. Terrorism is inhumane.

Mohammed Nafeel T.,

Kozhikode

Going by my basic understanding of Islam learnt in school, I found it puzzling everytime misguided individuals unleashed acts of terror in the name of religion and felled innocents. Terrorism has also become a weapon in the hands of our neighbour, even being used as an instrument of diplomacy. Islamic clerics across the world should come together and work with a single mind to interpret the meaning of jihad in its true spirit.

M. Phani Kiran,

Vijayawada

There is no religion that is interfered with, tinkered, misunderstood, misquoted, misrepresented, misinterpreted, disfigured and blamed as Islam is, though it is a religion of peace, tolerance, sacrifice, equality, love, brotherhood, justice and promotes peaceful coexistence. One should read the Koran, Hadiths and Sunah as a whole to understand Islam in its totality. Islam never promotes, instigates, exhorts or encourages violence, fundamentalism, extremism or radicalism of any kind. The jihad pronounced and propagated by Islamists has to be condemned as it goes against the very tenets of Islam. The seeds of terrorism were sown by western agencies to serve their agenda in regions of interest to them. They are responsible for the rise of al-Qaeda, the Taliban and the IS.

M.Y. Shariff,

Chennai