The troubles in the Islamic Crescent derive from a medieval culture that oppresses women and cannot cope with innovation based on an intrusive, unreformed religion. My Muslim friends argue their religion is not inherently violent. As a Christian cleric, I find our evangelicals just as much a menace as the Wahhabis. We can do little to change the course of events in the Crescent but we have a clear duty to prevent Islamist militancy spreading its pernicious influence within our own societies. (Rev Dr) John Cameron Howard Place, St Andrews, Fife