I write in response to Mr Nibbs’s letter, “Islam is not for me”, of February 19. As I initially predicted, he made two errors. First, I did not say Islam was for him. I advised him to study the Holy Quran and then he should use his own mind to reflect what he’s read critically and analytically.

Second, he confirms my position that Mr Nibbs does not know anything about Islam since he has not read the Holy Quran. He went online and collected some of the misconceptions about Islam. Since he doesn’t know the entire paragraph, he wrote a verse out of context. Isn’t it extraordinary to quote a book he has not read?

Let’s see what the Holy Quran says about women. There is a whole chapter dedicated to ‘Women’. Princess Diana loved it and would read it at night in her bed. The Holy Quran is clear about gender roles. Here is a verse of the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Prophet Mohammed respectively.

“And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women.” [Holy Quran 2:228] Speaking of motherly love, the Holy Quran speaks of the rights of the mother in a number of verses. It enjoins Muslims to show respect to their mothers.

To my Christian friends, I am only writing the following verses to make a point. I do not mean to disrespect your faith in any way.

Now let’s look at the Bible and see what it says about women.

“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” [Timothy 2:11-14] “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” Ephesians 5:22 -24] “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labour you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” [Genesis 3:16] I submit to you that the Holy Quran gives the women the same rights as men. If you want to find out, read it for yourselves and use your own minds. People like Mr Nibbs are relying on what is prepared for them by the corporate media and then they write something they do not know. You have your own mind; use it. I would be sad to waste your mind powers.

Axmed Bahjad Fleet Street Swindon