There have been several newspaper articles that have caused a great deal of indignation to be shown by Muslims of late.  While I share  these feelings I do not agree with some of the suggested responses.   If we regard boycotts and commercial disruption as the first and legitimate response to someone writing something we don't like then what argument can we offer when a newspaper editor refuses to print our opinions because he  does not like them.

     It is a common practice by those that call for these campaigns to first list the alleged offences so that the reader knows what to look for.  This is fine when the insults, errors or lies are actually there in the text but on at least three occasions during the last year I have found that the original article has been misread or in others an opinion about the author and the views expressed has coloured the assessment.  This does little except to devalue the protest and reinforce prejudice in the minds of uncommitted readers.

     We should not remain passive and silent in the face of sensationalist journalism or anti-Islamic propaganda but we should respond in the best and most constructive way for Islam.  Rather than venting our frustration we should concentrate our efforts at ensuring that these paltry scribblings are exposed for what they truly are by presenting well written truthful information and well reasoned rational arguments.  Journalists, publishers and broadcasters do respond positively to positive comments and they come back to ask for more information about Islam on other issues!

     One final point.  As a lover of language and good writing I beg you all, please, please no more specimen letters that begin, "Dear Sir, I am disgusted……."