Sir - Although the Islamic call to prayer topic now appears to be 'dead in the water', I cannot let the letter you published by Jan Penrose go without comment.
Ms Penrose criticized the Rector of St Aldate's for saying that, although he welcomed Muslims in Oxford, he felt the Muslim call to prayer was very un-English. He is right! The prayer call is grating and is causing unease in Muslim countries. They have started to restrict its use in Cairo; and there is concern in Baghdad because the whining Shi'ite prayer calls wind up the Sunnis. When Muslims in Britain constitute just over three per cent of the population, it is correct to describe their prayer call as 'un-English'. Ms Penrose says she lives in East Oxford. This is an area where a large number of immigrants now live and this may explain why she has chosen to attack the rector of one of Oxford's largest Anglican Churches and why everyone in her neighbourhood agrees with her.
I have many friends and acquaintances, both in and outside Oxford University; and I would like to make plain to Ms Penrose that none of them share her vociferous views, but they unanimously support those of the rector.
Anita Segar, Kennington
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