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Very good article. Wish more people would listen to you and wake up.
- Suze, USA
I think a lot of the problem, as expressed in this article, is simply that some things that are in holy books, not just 'The Koran', were written a long time ago and simply no longer apply. It take a great deal of individual courage to identify what no longer applies however... and even more to live that way.
- John, NZ
Brilliant.
- James Callahan, Los Angeles, US
That is a brave article, but I'm afraid it is not enough, my friend. Far too little, and far too late. People in this Christian country who hurt others intentionally have rights and privileges removed from them, sometimes by legal means, and sometimes by other means.
- Seb Carroll, London, United Kingdom
You guys seem very fond of your book. Here's a line out of ours:
"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Galatians VI.
- Seb Carroll, London, United Kingdom
Quite simply, we should not even have this problem now.
- John, Sevenoaks UK
This is a refreashing view of the underlying problems of Muslims. It also points squarely to the greater need for Muslims who are moderate to stand up for their beliefs. Instead of being steamrollered into a position of feeling if they are anti-terrorism they are anti-Muslim. The mosques in the UK have an opportunity to work with their followers to promote a modern peaceful way of life and give strong message that medeival ways of thinking that involve slaughtering innocent people will not be tolerated.
- J Balcazar, London UK
It is good to read an article like this and try to understand - but likewise extremists should realise that there are other ancient scriptures of profound depth in this world also revered and respected like their own - like Christianity and the message that Christianity purveys which is unconditional love. Is is not better to love than hate? Love conquers everything. Hate is a wasted emotion.
- Debbie Viggiano, Swanley Village England
Very interesting piece. Now at least I am beginning to understand the reason why.
- Caroline, Manchester
It's about time that someone in his position laid bare the facts for all to see. This is the evil that dare not speak it's name previously, namely, the truth. I applaud Hassan Butt for breaking ranks to write this article, it was brave of him to do it, he may have put himself in a dangerous place. I hope every politician and the liberal intelligentsia read it.
- Peter, Brentwood, Essex
This is by way of an explanation, but does this mean we will always be in conflict? As I for one, do not and will not live in an Islamic state, the ideology is flawed, if violence and terror is their only way of getting 'The Cause' to the fore.
- Maggie, Middlesbrough UK
What constitutes a "former radical Muslim"? At what point did he grow up?
- Bob Edwards, Warks
Wow. I take my hat off to this man. I hope that his fellow Muslims don't have him killed because he challenges thier ideology. Perhaps this could help the Christian fundamentalists as well.
- John Sizeland, Eccles on sea Norfolk
"For my generation, we were born here, raised here, schooled here, we work here and we'll stay here."
The English have never been asked for their consent to that. On the contrary, English ethnic interests are reviled by the political and cultural elites.
While this injustice lives there can never be contentment in these isles and the question of Mr Butt's continued presence here can never be settled.
- John Standing, Brighton
I wish people would stop Blair bashing for a moment and listen to what this man is saying. THIS is what Blair understood only too well and it takes a PM with a deep interest in theology to comprehend what most of us find too incredible to contemplate. If we don't stop playing political games we will be responsible for our own downfall. This terrorism is not about Iraq or any other on going dispute. It's a difference in ideologies. The terrorists want us to believe it's about our actions as this is a good recruiting tool for them and it also helps to shift responsibility. It also leads to us pulling down our leaders, something you would never see them do. Yes they are laughing at us and with good reason. Wake up all of you. Support your country, your leaders and stop taking the blame for the terrorists.
- Kathy Jones, UK
Illuminating and honest it would seem. Radical Islamists are playing into the hands of 'terror control' which will affect all of us, good and bad alike.
The building of the largest Mosque in europe here is being funded by the radical Islamists of Saudi Arabia, true Muslims should reject it as being built with evil intent. Help us to beleive in you.
- Kacey, Plymouth England
It's strange how many people have been saying just what Hassan Butt says in this article for many years now, but only the sensation of a former jihadist writing this article brings these concepts to light in a national newspaper. But this is not news to those of us with the means and desire to educate ourselves as to the nature of the concepts Hassan Butt writes about.
Mr Robert Spencer has written for years on this subject and been decried as a racist or 'Islamophobe' for merely making the exact same points as the above article, albeit in much more detail and with a much wider range of knowledge and information on the subject for reading. His readers did not need Hassan Butt to tell them that radical Islamism has no basis whatsoever in poverty or disagreement with foreign policy. Why is it taking so long for the penny to drop in the West?
- Simon Harkner, Liverpool UK
What a wonderful article, you have seen the light and truth. Muslim scholars must go and revert back to their great books, you are a true Muslim brother. salams.
- Sorraya Ahmed Chohan, Croydon
