ES Views: Muslims must march in protest against extremism

Following the murder in Manchester of innocent children, as a Muslim I am ashamed and outraged by these continual attacks on our fellow human beings. I am sick of these Islamic extremists.

Just like the “not in our name” protests against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I urge Muslims to do the same and march to condemn such disgusting acts being carried out in the name of Islam. I am tired of the lack of action from our imams who, as a whole, have not denounced these murders unequivocally as being against the salaam peace we are supposed to live by. They must disassociate Islam from such radical beliefs.

Those who foolishly attack the Government’s Prevent strategy have blood on their hands. Many of our young are being radicalised by evil infiltrators and even by some “imams”. We must stop this or we will only have more atrocities.

The Mayor of London must also do his bit as opposed to merely saying “we will prevail” and urging Londoners to be defiant. We were defiant after the Westminster attacks and where has this got us? We will never deal with extremism if we continue only to apologise and fail to tackle and name the root cause.

Unfortunately, such attacks are on the rise because they are not being identified and dealt with at their source. This must change.
Mariam Yusuf

Muslims in Britain join in the sorrow and pain suffered by the families of those who were killed and injured in the Manchester tragedy. The perpetrator of this crime may be dead but the task of getting the others who are clearly involved in this depraved act is not going to be easy. It is the duty of all citizens to give full support to the police and the security forces in capturing them.

We must admire the response from emergency services in Manchester who responded quickly with an enormous sense of devotion to service. More than that, the people of Manchester deserve our appreciation for their expression of loving and peaecful solidarity in the face of hate.
Shaikh Shuja

Too many suspects are not detained

Yet again, in the wake of Monday’s terrorist attack in Manchester, we learn that a perpetrator was known to the police and intelligence services [“Soldiers on guard at Palace as police hunt accomplices”, May 24].

Because of the Government’s reluctance to detain anyone even suspected of involvement with terrorism, 22 people — many of whom were children — are dead. One would think that had the culprit on this occasion, Salman Abedi, been taken out of circulation when he first came to the attention of the authorities, they might still be alive.

The one common factor in every terrorist attack that has taken place here and on the European mainland in the past five years is that the extremist attacker who caused such carnage was known to the security agencies but was still allowed to remain at large.

The fight against terrorism has now become a war. If we are to destroy the enemy that is Islamic State, we must suspend certain liberties and ensure that anyone suspected of planning an attack or aiding and abetting such persons is detained.
Robert Readman

Don't be angry, just stay strong

The events in Manchester have aroused so many emotions in all decent people, even anger. But that is what these sick individuals want: for us to turn on each other.

We can fight this by showing love and friendship to each other and helping communities come together. While the terrorists can kill me with their bombs, they can never make me hate civilians of other religions and cultures. That is what makes us stronger than these individuals will ever be.
Dennis Gimes

A fond farewell to Sir Roger Moore

Nick Curtis’s affectionate tribute to Sir Roger Moore (Roger that, May 24) rightly says that, perhaps more than any other actor, Moore defined the Seventies. British cinema at the time was at a relatively low ebb and overall audiences were declining. Yet Roger’s third 007 adventure, The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), rejuvenated the series, much as GoldenEye did in the mid-Nineties and Casino Royale a decade later.

Roger’s frequent turns in other action films, such as Gold, Shout at the Devil, The Sea Wolves and North Sea Hijack, slotted in between his Bonds, encouraged cinemagoers back to their local Odeons.

For all his self-deprecating charm, British cinema owes Roger a real debt of gratitude. How fitting that his final, well-received public appearance last November should have been at the Royal Festival Hall, just a couple of miles from his birthplace in Stockwell.
Mark Batey, chief executive, Film Distributors’ Association

I was sad to hear about the passing of Sir Roger Moore. He was a good man, he did a huge amount of charity work and was always open about how much he enjoyed being involved in the Bond films. He never belittled the influence of the franchise. He will be missed.
Octavia Holmes

What a fine tribute from Sir Roger Moore’s family following his death. As a young boy I so enjoyed watching him in Ivanhoe. I am sorry to see him go.
Harvey John

Means tests will punish the thrifty

Judith Howard comments on how frugal pensioners will be unfairly hit by plans to means-test the winter fuel allowance [Letters, May 23]. It is indeed unfair to punish responsible people who will effectively pay for those who chose not to work at school and therefore could not get a job, or got themselves in trouble with the law.

Of course there are people who are genuinely unable to look after themselves through no fault of their own. These are the people who deserve our full support.
B Alexander

Join the conversation: #esnewsviews

Tories are letting us down over pollution

Despite the Conservatives’ slogans, we should be wary of believing their promises. Their handling of the UK’s air pollution crisis, for example, is pertinent. Among many detrimental health impacts, air pollution reduces children’s lung function and increases the risk of asthma.

Yet the Government has continued to delay taking action — as well as spending taxpayers’ money — in the High and Supreme Courts. Furthermore, it was alleged in the Telegraph recently that while he was Mayor of London, Boris Johnson “held back” negative reports on how London’s illegal air pollution disproportionately affects deprived schools.

The Government’s plan, finally released this month after a High Court reprimand, has been roundly criticised for its weak measures and its attempt to absolve the Government of any responsibility. What’s worse, a Government following a hard Brexit strategy would no longer have to abide by the EU’s air quality laws.

If we can’t trust the Conservatives on an issue as important as the air pollution crisis and protecting our children’s health, how can we trust them on anything else?
Stephen Crosher, Liberal Democrat candidate for Holborn and St Pancras

Join the conversation: #escleancityviews

​
Football rivalries are brushed aside

I was touched to see Ajax and Manchester United fans come together before last night’s Europa League final to mark the events in Manchester.

It was just like when Borussia Dortmund were the target of a bomb on their team coach and the fans of their opposition that night, Monaco, chanted Borussia’s name before their Champions’ League semi-final first leg. Last night night too, Ajax fans understood that some issues in the world are more important than sporting rivalries.

People often dismiss football as “just a game”. But the fact that it can provide a much-needed escape for people affected by real world events surely means it is significant after all?
Chris Russell

Join the conversation: #essportviews