ITAKE S Litherlands point -- 'Don't mix race and religion' (Letters, July 19) in my previous remarks my terminology was perhaps confusing.

I was in no way asserting that someone of a particular religious persuasion could not be British. However, Islam is so much more than just a religion -- it is a stringent and wide-ranging set of laws which permeates the lives of its followers to such an extent that it can sometimes conflict with the laws of the land, as in the case of female circumcision or forced marriage.

Perhaps, I should have said that the choice was between conforming to British law or Islamic law. My basic premise, however, still stands, that British law should take precedence at all times and that successive race laws have undermined this, frequently allowing Muslims to be a law unto themselves.

S LOVE (Mrs), Avenue Parade, Accrington.