LETTER:Individual's Islam

From Mr F. Dar

Sir: Frances D'Souza misses the point in her letter (8 June). In Islam, there is no priestly hierarchy, and despotic monarchy is alien to Islamic thinking. In the final analysis, it is the responsibility of the individual to decide and act on matters such as fatwas.

Hence, more than a billion ordinary Muslims worldwide may consider the "opinions" of Ali Akbar Velayati, Hussein Bin Talal or Frances D'Souza, or they may look for evidence in The Satanic Verses itself, but, in the end, it is up to individuals to decide and to act.

Yours sincerely,

F. DAR

London, SW20

10 June