Sir, Your paper has distinguished itself by recording the achievements of Muslims in such different fields as science, sport and education. It has also featured the excellent work of Muslim charities both at home and overseas.

In the news columns, on the other hand, you are perhaps unique among faith-based publications, by portraying your people as universal victims. When there are not enough examples of victimhood from Britain, you turn to the US, India or other countries to find more.
Surely one should recognise that Muslims are not the only people to suffer from prejudice and discrimination.

Islamophobia is not the only motive for a hate crime. Anti-Semitism is common in many countries, while Christians cannot always freely express their opinions or wear their symbols, Clergy is quite often insulted or spat upon.

If one looks around the world, it is often the smaller minority groups who fare worst and suffer racial or religious hatred. Think of gipsies and travellers in Britain, untouchables (Harijans) in India, Roma in Europe or the Bahia in Iran, and the Ahmadiyya in Pakistan, or Yezidis in the Middle East.

May I, therefore, urge you to promote common citizenship and inter-communal harmony in this country, together with respect in all part of the world for those who seem different from oneself.

Communications are improving all the time and education is spreading and deepening. We should use all available means to develop the values of the heart, so as to live in peace and harmony, avoiding victimhood.

Yours
Lord Hylton
House of Lords