Muslims welcomed me on visit

These people were against fundamentalism but very pro the idea and reality of brotherhood, friendship and service. I never felt threatened when out alone and I am an elderly female.

I've never had such service, people went to buy at a shop what they did not normally serve in the local cafes. I did not visit the regular visitors' cafes, but popped in with the locals.

My hat, lost on a local bus, was returned later to the hotel by the bus driver.

I picked up a few words, but with smiles I made friends who greeted me as I passed through towns and villages. I often called in for a drink of local tea and a chunk of homemade bread.

It was safe to look at babies and admire the young children, talking to schoolchildren who enjoyed trying out their English as much as I did the same in their language. I talked politics, religion with the imam. I prayed in the mosque and at the shrines of many past "gods" and Christian saints.

Flags flew everywhere, veils were forbidden. School uniforms were worn with pride, European style. Traditions were still followed but not fundamentalism.

Why can't we do the same? Why can't our religious festivals be enjoyed, cribs, crosses, flags, bells, veils forbidden, but other freedoms respected by all?

I'll return to that country and a couple of other Muslim countries, because I felt more comfortable, at ease, at home and made more friends there than I do as I go round England.

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