Canterbury University is planning to scrap Islamic Studies. Today's Herald ran a handwringing story about it, quoting Ismail Waja as saying the course is needed "to create greater understanding". So, I wrote this letter in response. Care to bet whether they print it?

Dear Sir,

I'm surprised to see Ismail Waja calling for more understanding of Islam amongst Westerners; surely it would be easier to sell Islam as a misunderstood religion of peace if we didn't understand its fundamentals?

Islam respects the prophet Mohammed as infallible and an example of the perfect man. This would be easier to accept if Mohammed hadn't married a child called A'isha, raping her at the age of nine, and then gone on to command the execution of Jewish prisoners after his victory at the Battle of Khandaq. Such sociopathic actions are characteristic of someone who spreads and strengthens his philosophy by force of arms.

Of course, Mohammed is competing for distinction amongst some remarkably evil people throughout history. Take for example Pope Innocent VIII, whose declaration against witches of 1484 caused the torment and death of thousands of innocents. Or Lenin, whose barbarous communist regime killed over fifty million of its own citizens by execution and starvation.

The difference between contemporary Islam, and contemporary Western civilization, is that we utterly reject the monsters of our past, along with their failed murderous collectivist philosophies.

Yours sincerely,
Duncan Bayne