7 SEPTEMBER 2002, Page 28

Dangerous friendship

From Mr Roy Whittaker Sir: The Revd Frank Gelli's letter (31 August) in response to Mark Steyn's article (The war Bush is losing'. 24 August) does him credit as a Christian. But I think he may delude himself if he ascribes to Muslims exactly the same attitudes as he evinces. He quotes the Bible. The Koran — to Muslims, not mere scripture but the revealed Word of God — says, in Sura 5, The Table, 'Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends.. . . Whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their number.' He may find that the friendship he claims with Islamic clergy is viewed differently by them.

Roy Whittaker

Middlesbrough