My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the terror attacks in Paris. As a Muslim, I strongly condemn these horrible acts of violence. The ideology of those who carried out these attacks is incompatible with Islam. It saddens me, however, that the world pays attention mainly when western lives are lost. We should also remember those who lost their lives in places like Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. Strengthening security won’t save more lives unless the root causes are dealt with. Supporting democracy not dictatorship in the Arab world would be a good start.
Mohammed Samaana
Belfast
• The pope says this is a fragmented third world war. This war is unwinnable. As in all wars there will be peace at the end. Let us not wait for one of those so called honourable peaces. I invite the secretary general of the UN to call for a peace conference.
Gündüz Vassaf
Istanbul, Turkey
• I am very sorry for all those who lost their lives in Paris. However, none of us are innocent. The Iraq war and Tony Blair have got a lot to answer for.
Kathleen O’Neill
Hayling Island, Hampshire
• The tragedy in Paris is the type of warfare that we are now up against and absolutely must find a way of tackling. We have known this since 9/11. Financing nuclear weapons is an antiquated and useless response. The cost has to be better spent on tackling this insidious terrorism.
Sue Leyland
Hunmanby, North Yorkshire
