Muslim women and headscarves

Madam, - Ali Selim's article in your edition of September 10th fails to deal with the issues at hand, and highlights the plight of an alienated community that is unable to digest the political, historical, financial and social culture of Ireland. Articles of this kind serve to further isolate the Muslim population globally, increase tensions, and can lead to distrust, fear, conflict and violence.

I value freedom of speech as a central tenet of Western democracy, and The Irish Times for operating to these standards. I feel that greater discourse and debate is necessary if we are to avoid a "clash of civilisations". Hence I have put pen to paper. - Yours, etc,

WENDI FERRIS RICHARDSON,

Castleconnell,

Co Limerick.